California Construction News staff writer
The Los Angeles Metro Board has selected an underground heavy rail route as the preferred option for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project.
The project aims to transport riders between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside in less than 20 minutes, a significant reduction from current car commutes that can take 40 to 80 minutes, officials said. A trip from Van Nuys to Westwood would take about 10 minutes on the new line, providing connections to Metro’s D, E, and G lines, the Van Nuys Metrolink station, and UCLA.
“This project will cut travel time, reduce air pollution and is the kind of bold, forward-looking investment that moves Los Angeles County into the future,” Metro Board Chair Fernando Dutra said.
The Sepulveda Pass, which runs through the Santa Monica Mountains, has long been a major congestion point, limiting access between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside’s employment, education and cultural hubs.
Metro released a draft environmental impact report last summer evaluating five possible alternatives. Modified Alternative 5 was chosen as the locally preferred alternative following technical analysis and input from more than 8,000 public comments, the agency said.
With the preferred route selected, Metro will refine the design and continue community engagement as it moves forward with additional environmental review.
The Sepulveda Transit Corridor is part of Metro’s ongoing expansion of Los Angeles County’s rail system, which includes 118 miles of existing track and more than 50 miles in planning or construction. Recent projects include the LAX/Metro Transit Center and the A Line Extension to Pomona.
“This is a historic moment for transportation in Los Angeles,” Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said. “The Sepulveda Corridor Project is one of the most ambitious transportation investments in our region’s history and will redefine how millions of people travel across Los Angeles.”
For more information about the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, visit metro.net/stc.
