The East San Fernando Valley Corridor project, which will be the first light rail transit line in the Valley since the demise of the Red Cars in 1952, took a big step forward last week when the Metro Board approved its final configuration. The project will connect the Van Nuys Metro station with the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink station, servicing busy commercial corridors and densely populated residential areas in the East Valley.Councilmember Krekorian, who serves on the Metro Board, helped lead the effort to fund the project when he served as chair of the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments. The Councilmember ensured that this would be one of the top-tier projects funded through Measure M, the sales tax initiative overwhelmingly approved by County voters in 2016. The East Valley Corridor project has been one of the Councilmember's highest priorities throughout his time in office.
"My parents used to ride the old Red Cars down Van Nuys Blvd. to connect with the rest of the county," he noted. "Since then, Van Nuys Blvd. has become the busiest bus corridor in Los Angeles. The East Valley Line will bring an incredible transformation to the area by reducing congestion, increasing transit capacity, sparking economic development and opportunity, improving air quality, and enhancing equity for underserved and transit-dependent communities."
With the Board's approval, the project is now "shovel-ready" and eligible for additional state and federal funding. The $2.2 billion line is expected to begin major construction in 2022 and to begin operations in 2028.