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
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