The The Eastern San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project has been awarded $893 million grant from the US Department of Transportation to build the Light rail line 6.7 miles long at grade San Fernando Valley area.
When completed, $3.57 billion project extend The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) light rail line in the San Fernando Valley as it builds connections to new and existing regional transit services, including Metrolink, Amtrak, Metro G Line, Metro B Line, and other planned Metro projects.
The funding, announced on September 6, is part of the US Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration
Accelerated Project Delivery (EPD) pilot program.. It is the first FTA grant under the program.
Metro is currently performing advanced utility adjustment work for the project. Construction of utility works and minor street improvements along Van Nuys Boulevard is expected to begin later this year. The project is scheduled to open in 2031.
Construction is being led by San Fernando Transit Constructors (SFTC), a joint venture between Stacy Witbeck and Skanska, with AECOM as the engineer.
A joint venture between Arcadis-Mott MacDonald (AMM) JV provides construction management support services for the progressive design and construction delivery of Metro. The team is providing administration, inspection, estimating and construction management support services.
The project will include 11 stations, 10 electrical traction substations, street improvements and a maintenance service facility that spans over 21 acres. Several buildings at the facility will use solar photovoltaic (PV) energy and excess energy storage systems.
The rail line is being built along Van Nuys Boulevard, one of the San Fernando Valley’s busiest corridors. It will provide new light rail alternatives for residents in the cities of Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima. The project is designed to provide street-level stops, something not seen in the area since the last Pacific Electric Red Cars discontinued service along parts of Van Nuys Boulevard in 1952.
Metro says the project will provide mobility options to underserved communities in the eastern San Fernando Valley, where approximately 19 percent of households do not own a car and rely on public transportation.
“Thirty-five percent of households in the East San Fernando Valley rely on Metro for their transportation, and the East San Fernando Valley Line will give them faster and more efficient service than ever,” Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said in a press release.
Another 2.5-mile segment is also planned to further extend the rail line from Pacoima to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink station. Design options for this segment of the project are now under consideration and will be constructed in the second phase of the project.
