Local funding for a new light rail line and upgrades to the G Line (née Orange Line) bus rapid transit route have been approved for the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.
Steve Scauzillo reports for the Los Angeles Daily News: “By unanimous votes of the [Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority] Board of Directors, about $66 million was approved to hire a construction management firm to oversee the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Line (ESFVLR) and about $44 million will go toward improvements to the existing Metro G Bus Rapid Transit Line, commonly known as the Orange Line.”
“The proposed light rail line will extend north from the Van Nuys Metro G Line station to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station, running 9.2 miles and including 14 at-grade passenger stations,” according to Scauzillo.
As noted by Scauzillo, the ESFVLR will be the first light rail line in the San Fernando Valley.
The improvements to the G Line will reduce waits at intersections, “[reducing] the time a passenger spends on a G Line bus by allowing buses to travel up to 15-25 mph faster by avoiding traffic at major intersections.” The new speed will be achieved by a mix of grade separation, signal priority, and “railroad-type crossing gates,” according to Scauzillo.
More details about the political and legal debate surrounding the funding can be found in the source article below.
FULL STORY: SF Valley light rail and G-Line rapid bus updates are green-lighted by LA Metro board
Environmental Review for Light Rail Through The Valley Approved
The B Line subway includes two stops in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, but other than that, commuter rail and buses are the only options for transit. New light rail plans could change that.
New Bus Rapid Transit Line Proposed for L.A.'s San Fernando Valley
Measure M, approved by L.A. County voters in 2016, is enabling a slew of transit projects in the San Fernando Valley.
Light Rail Recommended for the San Fernando Valley
Transit planners with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority have recommended light rail for the planned East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research