Metro’s East San Fernando Valley Project Qualifies for Federal Funds

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or Metro, has qualified its East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project is eligible for federal funding.The Federal Transit Administration granted the project a record of decision, which officially certified the project as satisfying all federal guidelines for environmental analysis.The project would run for 9.2 miles between the Van Nuys Orange Line station and the Metrolink station in Sylmar. It will have 14 at-grade stations primarily on Van Nuys Boulevard to serve three-car trains that can accommodate up to 400 passengers.The $1.3 billion cost will be paid for through mostly Measure M and Measure R, two voter initiatives passed for transportation financing, and state funds. With the FTA action, Metro can seek federal funding.Metro Board member and Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian called the project a critical one to reduce congestion and improve air quality.“Last month we pushed the project forward with a $30 million investment in utility work to expedite construction. Now, with the FTA’s record of decision … we are well on our way toward full funding and completion of the foundation for the future of transit in the San Fernando Valley,” Krekorian said in a statement.Major construction on the project is scheduled to begin in 2022 and be completed in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics. With an end-to-end travel time of 31 minutes, daily boardings are anticipated to exceed 30,000 by the year 2040, Metro said.