Construction Begins on East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Line

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority commenced construction on a 6.7-mile light rail line on Monday, which will stretch along Van Nuys Boulevard and is expected to be the first local-stop commuter service in the area in over seven decades.

Officials announced that the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit project aims to enhance access to employment, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and local businesses. The project is scheduled to become operational in October 2031. The light rail will service densely populated neighborhoods including Van Nuys, Arleta, and Pacoima, where about 19% of households lack a personal vehicle, a stark contrast to the 8% average across Los Angeles County.

This project will interface with current regional transit systems including Metrolink, Amtrak, and the Metro G (Orange) Line. It will feature 11 new at-grade stations equipped with modern safety enhancements and is anticipated to generate over 18,000 jobs during its construction and operational phases. Funding, estimated at nearly $4 billion, will come from various sources including a significant $893 million federal grant.