Los Angeles County officials have approved an underground heavy rail option for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, which is set to improve public transport between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside.
The decision by the Metro Board identifies this option as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the corridor.
The proposed rail line would connect the Metrolink Van Nuys Station to the Metro E Line. Travel times through the Sepulveda Pass, which currently takes 40 to 80 minutes by car, are expected to reduce significantly. A journey from Van Nuys to Westwood on the new line could take about 10 minutes. The line would provide access to multiple existing Metro lines, including the D, E, and G Lines, and links to the Van Nuys Metrolink Station and UCLA.
Angelenos to Benefit from Shorter Commutes, Greater Connectivity Between San Fernando Valley, Westside
© Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners
The Sepulveda Pass is a key route for linking the San Fernando Valley to employment, education, and cultural centres on the Westside. The Santa Monica Mountains create a natural barrier, making travel by road slow and unpredictable.
Once implemented, the project will link the Metrolink Van Nuys Station with the Metro E Line. Travel between Van Nuys, via the G Line, and Westwood, at the D Line, is expected to take around 10 minutes, offering a more predictable alternative to existing road journeys that currently take between 40 and 80 minutes.
Metro Board Chair and Whittier City Councilmember Fernando Dutra said:
A direct rail connection through the Sepulveda Pass will connect people to jobs, schools, airports and entertainment faster than ever. 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.
Last year, LA Metro released a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) examining five potential rail options for the project. Following a review of technical studies and public feedback, which included more than 8,000 submissions, the Board selected Modified Alternative 5 as the LPA. Metro will now proceed with design refinement and further community consultation as part of the next environmental review phase.
The project is part of a wider programme of rail expansion in Los Angeles County. Metro has built 118 miles of rail over the past 40 years and has more than 50 miles of additional lines in planning or construction. Recent projects include the LAX/Metro Transit Center, which provides a direct link to Los Angeles International Airport, and the Metro A Line Extension to Pomona.