ICYMI: Cárdenas Joins CEO Stephanie Wiggins on Ride-along of the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail to Highlight Federal Funding
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CA – On Monday, June 26, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) joined the CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Stephanie Wiggins, for a ride along the corridor for the East San Fernando Valley project. The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project will improve connections and access to key destinations while connecting transit users to the growing network in the San Fernando Valley.
On this ride-along, Congressman Cárdenas and CEO Wiggins made several stops at health centers and small businesses, where they met with local transit riders. Community members spoke about their reliance on Metro transportation and their excitement for light rail that will further connect them to friends, family, work, shopping, medical care and other essential services.
“I grew up in Pacoima, where the community is highly dependent on public transportation,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “Access to a light rail line will transform lives throughout my district. When they are connected to more of the Valley, residents will be able to get to work, shop at local businesses, make it to their doctor’s appointments, visit one another, and so much more. Throughout this process, I have thrown my support behind Metro to get the federal resources needed to bring light rail to our community. Thanks to our collective efforts, we are one step closer to seeing our efforts come to fruition. The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project proves that partnership between local and federal governments can better the lives of our constituents.”
California’s 29th District has a higher level of transit dependency, population density, and poverty than the average rates of Los Angeles County. Transit dependency levels are 100 percent higher than the L.A. County average, poverty levels are twice as high, and the number of zero-vehicle households is 77 percent higher than the county average. The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project will help residents in their everyday lives, address transit equity, create jobs, and improve local infrastructure.
Congressman Cárdenas led the efforts in congress to fund of this project. On December 2nd, 2021, Cárdenas submitted a letter to U.S Department of Transportation Secretary Buttigieg expressing support for Metro’s application for the CIG Expedited Project Delivery pilot program. On February 2nd, 2022, Cárdenas signed on to Rep. Napolitano’s letter of support for Metro’s application for a $4.8 million grant through the Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge (part of American Rescue Plan), to establish workforce training program for homeless and formerly homeless residents of LA County. Included in the President’s budget is a recommendation that Congress appropriate $250 million for the ESFVLR project funded through the FTA’s CIG program.
“Rep. Cárdenas has been a long-time champion for Metro on Capitol Hill, and a big supporter of the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “His support has been essential as we've worked with Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration to provide funding for this critical transit link for San Fernando Valley residents, a great many of whom rely on Metro to get to work, school, and perform everyday errands. On behalf of Metro, I'd like to thank Rep. Cardenas for his support of the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project and the numerous other projects slated for construction over the next decade that will transform mobility for the 2 million residents of the San Fernando Valley."
In addition to the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Line, Metro is planning, designing, and building several other transit projects that will transform transportation for the residents of the San Fernando Valley. Metro is improving its popular G Line (Orange) Bus Rapid Transit line that runs from North Hollywood to Chatsworth to improve speeds on that line by up to 30%. Metro is also improving bus infrastructure, installing bus shelters and bus bulbs on many of the Valley's most popular bus lines through the North San Fernando Valley Improvements project. Metro is in the design phase of the North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project, which will provide better connections to job and entertainment centers in Burbank, Glendale, Northeast LA, and Pasadena, and Metro is in the environmental review phase for the transformative Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, which aims to provide a mass transit alternative to the perennially congested I-405.
"As the CEO of NEVHC, I am thrilled to express our support for the proposed light rail expansion in the San Fernando Valley, particularly because of its close proximity to our health centers but also because of the innumerable positive impacts it will have for our community. Public transportation plays a vital role in promoting public health, and this initiative holds tremendous potential for our community,” said Kimberly Wyard, CEO of NEVHC. “The benefits of accessible and efficient public transportation are far-reaching. Firstly, it enhances the overall well-being of our residents by offering them a sustainable and convenient mode of transportation, reducing reliance on privatevehicles and mitigating traffic congestion. This translates into improved air quality and reduced pollution, leading to healthier environments for all.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Congressman Cardenas for his unwavering commitment to our community's welfare and for championing this important endeavor. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the Metro CEO, Stephanie Wiggins, and her team for spearheading the expansion plans. Their dedication to enhancing public transportation demonstrates a shared vision for a healthier, more connected community.”
“As a 30-year resident and small business owner in the City of Van Nuys, I know that my community will benefit from this project,” said Cecilia Ortiz, owner of Cecy’s Taqueria. “Many of my employees come from the city of San Fernando and must take two to three buses. I know that like my team, many other business owners and community members will also benefit from a new light rail line in our neighborhood.
The Southern Segment is expected to be a 6.7-mile at-grade alignment, that includes 11 new transit stations and 10 traction power substations and a new Maintenance & Storage Facility. Metro is conducting a supplemental study anticipated for completion mid-2024, to consider design options for the northern 2.5-mile segment, located from San Fernando Rd/Van Nuys Bl to Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station. The anticipated Southern Segment start of construction is mid-2024 and the forecast completion date is 2030.
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