Metro Considers Orange Line Time-Saving Measures

The board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is considering adding gates and building a mile-long bridge to speed up travel on the Orange Line busway. The $280 million project would be funded with money raised by the Measure M sales tax increase approved by voters in November. The proposal calls for a bridge to elevate the busway between Van Nuys and Sepulveda boulevards, thus avoiding street traffic. Also, the proposal seeks to add gates at 34 crossing between the stations from North Hollywood to Chatsworth. There would also be a closure of Tyrone Avenue across the busway in Van Nuys. A study by Metro determined these measures would reduce trips between the North Hollywood and the Canoga Avenue stations by 12 minutes and between North Hollywood and Chatsworth by 16 minutes. The Valley Industry & Commerce Association has come out in favor of the plan and praised the Metro board putting it on the agenda for its Oct. 26 meeting. VICA President Stuart Waldman called the Orange Line the transit backbone of the San Fernando Valley. “Installing crossing gates is an innovative and feasible solution that will bring improvements quickly, cost-effectively and with minimal disruption to residents and transit riders,” Waldman said in a prepared statement.