Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) officially broke ground Monday on the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit project, a 6.7‑mile, at‑grade rail line that will run the length of Van Nuys Boulevard. The ceremony highlighted the first local‑stop commuter service to travel this corridor in more than seven decades.
Project scope and community impact
The new line will serve densely populated neighborhoods including Van Nuys, Arleta and Pacoima, linking riders to existing Metrolink, Amtrak and the Metro G (Orange) Line. Metro estimates that roughly 19 % of households along the corridor are fully transit‑dependent—without a personal vehicle—compared with just 8 % county‑wide. By providing reliable, affordable transit, the project aims to expand access to jobs, schools, health‑care facilities and local businesses.
Eleven at‑grade stations are planned, spaced about three‑quarters of a mile apart at Van Nuys Metro G Line, Victory, Vanowen, Sherman Way, Van Nuys Metrolink, Roscoe, Nordhoff, Woodman, Arleta, Laurel Canyon and San Fernando. Each station will feature modern shade structures, ADA‑compliant sidewalks, safer pedestrian crossings and upgraded roadway designs.
Economic benefits and local hiring
Metro officials project that construction and ongoing operations will generate more than 18,000 direct and indirect jobs for the local economy. A dedicated project labor agreement and construction‑careers policy will prioritize good‑paying jobs for Valley residents. In addition, Metro’s Business Interruption Fund will offer financial assistance to affected “mom‑and‑pop” shops, helping mitigate construction impacts on small businesses.
“The East San Fernando Valley deserves an affordable and safe transit system that provides reliable access to jobs, health care, schools and local businesses — I’m proud that Metro’s Light Rail Transit Project will deliver just that,” said Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Funding and timeline
The $4 billion project will be funded through a mix of federal, state and local sources, including the voter‑approved Measure M sales tax. Metro secured an $893 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, marking the first Full Funding Grant Agreement under the Federal Transit Administration’s Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program, which speeds up major fixed‑guideway builds.
Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins added, “The new East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project is a huge step in providing access to jobs and the economic boost from the project will benefit local residents and the economy.” Construction is slated to continue through the early 2030s, with operations expected to begin in October 2031.
Local leaders voice support
Metro Board Member and LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath called the investment “a game changer for our community,” emphasizing faster, safer connections between Van Nuys and San Fernando. City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla, a Valley native, noted that reliable public transportation is essential for families, adding that the rail line will create new opportunities for residents and help preserve the corridor’s long‑standing community character.
With the line’s completion, Valley commuters will have a modern, dependable alternative to congested freeways, reinforcing Metro’s broader goal of improving mobility throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
