Friday October 02, 2020
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has released the FEIS/R for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project and will accept public comment starting today, October 2 through Monday, November 2.
The project website will debut a virtual platform and new video in English and Spanish today. Metro will also hold two virtual community meetings October 14 (English) and October 26 (Spanish) for community members and others to ask questions about the final report during the public comment period.
The planned 9.2-mile light rail line will connect the G Line (Orange) with the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station along Van Nuys Boulevard and the San Fernando rail right-of-way, and is partially funded by the Measure R and Measure M transportation sales taxes approved by county voters in 2008 and 2016, respectively.
Those interested in reviewing the FEIS/R can access it via the project website at metroexemplifi.wpengine.com/eastsfvtransit or request a hard copy by calling the Project hotline at 818.701.3844.
Two scheduled FEIS/R virtual meetings will enable the public to ask questions to the project team. Virtual meeting details are as follows:
- Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 4:30–6:30 p.m. (in English, with Armenian interpretation available by request). Zoom link: http://bit.ly/ESFV-Oct14. Passcode: 867267. To join by telephone, call: US: +1 669 900 9128 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782. Webinar/Meeting ID: 998 7865 2421. (Press # when asked for Participant’s ID). Passcode: 867267
- Monday, October 26, 2020, 6–8 p.m. (in Spanish). Zoom link: http://bit.ly/ESFV-Oct26. Passcode: 605402. By telephone: US: +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799. Webinar/Meeting ID: 994 5650 0748. (Press # when asked for Participant’s ID). Passcode: 605402
The content of both meetings will be the same. Special ADA and Title VI accommodations are available to the public for Metro-sponsored meetings. All requests for reasonable accommodations and translation must be made at least three working days (72 hours) in advance of the scheduled meeting date; please call the project information line at 213.393.3905 or California Relay Services at 711.
The project as envisioned consists of 14 light rail stations between the Van Nuys G Line Station and Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station using Van Nuys Boulevard and the San Fernando Rail right-of-way, providing numerous easy transfers between Metro, Metrolink and Amtrak lines in the San Fernando Valley. End-to-end light rail trips would take 30 minutes compared to bus trips that take at least 48 minutes today.
The project is scheduled to begin construction in 2022 and could be built in phases depending on available funding. It is anticipated to open in 2028.
Following the FEIS/R public review period, the Metro Board will consider the report as soon as the November/December timeframe. Once the Metro Board certifies the FEIS/R and if it approves the project, the Federal Transit Administration would then issue a Record of Decision (ROD) for the project. The project’s environmental review phase will conclude with these actions. Metro would then seek to hire a contractor to build the line and to begin property acquisitions and utility relocation in 2021
For additional project information, please visit http://metroexemplstg.wpengine.com/eastsfvtransit.
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is currently providing lifeline service for essential trips and frontline workers. Metro continues building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan.
Metro has proudly pledged to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Health and Safety Commitment Program to help ensure the safe return of transit riders as the U.S. recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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