LA Daily News: East San Fernando Valley Light Rail to Bring 14 Metro Stations to Van Nuys Boulevard
Transit project gets $5 million to help connect Van Nuys Orange Line with San Fernando Metrolink station
State and local officials gathered Tuesday, Jan. 19, to announce a $5 million federal investment secured to help build the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project connecting the Van Nuys Metro “G” Orange Line Station with the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink station.
“Strong public transit systems are crucial to our local economies and critical to creating opportunities in disadvantaged communities in our state,” said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) during the press conference.
The 6.7-mile at-grade light rail will run in a semi-exclusive right of way in the median of Van Nuys Boulevard and provide 14 new Metro stations on the boulevard. The long-anticipated project’s budget is estimated at $2.81 billion.
U.S. Representative Tony Cardenas (CA-29) said the $5 million investment will mean 14 new Metro stations on Van Nuys Boulevard. The project will include nine traction power substations, an overhead contact system, 34 vehicles, and a maintenance and storage facility.
“Today, we’re one step closer to connecting our friends and neighbors with a train that will finally serve the Northeast San Fernando Valley,” he said.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, whose district includes the Van Nuys Metro station, said when leaders in the San Fernando Valley discussed transportation priorities years ago, they discovered that Metro had 100 transit stations on rail lines countywide but just two stations in the populous Valley, home to 2 million people.
“This is a big step forward for transit in the San Fernando Valley, but it’s so much more than that because Metro is committed to building affordable housing on its properties adjacent to these lines throughout the county,” said Krekorian, who is also a director of the Metro Board.
Among other attendees were Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, Metro Board Chair, L.A. Metro Vice-Chair Ara Najarian and Executive Secretary of LA-OC Building & Construction Trades Council Chris Hannan.
By: Olga Grigoryants
Source: LA Daily News