Construction is officially underway on a transit project that will bring the San Fernando Valley its first commuter rail service in more than 70 years. Work is set to begin this week on a 6.7-mile light rail line linking Van Nuys and Pacoima, running primarily along Van Nuys Boulevard with 11 planned street-level stations. L.A. Metro, the county transit agency, projects the nearly $4-billion project will open to the public in 2032.
The groundbreaking event, held on Monday, featured Metro chair and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass alongside other local leaders. However, the milestone comes years behind schedule and billions of dollars over the initial estimated budget. The project was originally approved in 2018 with a projected opening date of 2027 and an estimated cost of $1.3 billion, with construction initially slated to start in 2021.
When questioned during the groundbreaking about the lengthy delays, Metro officials did not provide an immediate response. A board report indicated that the Metro board approved a budget increase in May as estimated construction costs continued to rise. Funding for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project relies on several sources, including local sales tax measures Measures R and M, as well as an $893-million grant from the federal government.
Local officials emphasized the transit corridor’s importance for equity and economic development in the region. Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, who represents the eastern San Fernando Valley, described the infrastructure effort as long-overdue economic justice for overlooked immigrant communities that currently face limited transit access. The corridor is presently served by two bus lines that recorded roughly 20,000 boardings in September, according to Metro figures.
The eastern San Fernando Valley lost its previous rail service in 1952 when the Pacific Electric streetcars ceased operations. Since then, the region has remained among the most heavily traveled and transit-dependent areas in the entire county, according to Metro board member and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who has been a major advocate for the initiative. Formal community discussions regarding the project began as early as 2010.
While officials celebrated the construction kickoff, the project brings immediate local disruptions. The rail line will eliminate some parking spaces along Van Nuys Boulevard, and upcoming construction work will impact local traffic. To mitigate these disruptions, Metro has provided grants to multiple small businesses that will be affected by the heavy construction activity.
State Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez stated that she and her staff have maintained regular contact with community coalitions to ensure minimal disruption and to keep neighborhood residents and small-business owners informed of progress. A successful transit project requires careful attention to the everyday experience of residents and business owners along the corridors, she noted, emphasizing the need for safe sidewalks, shaded waiting areas, reliable transit connections, adequate parking, proper lighting, and clean stations.
Upon completion, the east San Fernando Valley line is designed to connect with existing local and regional transit services, including Metro’s G Line and the Van Nuys Metrolink-Amtrak station. Planners also intend for the route to eventually provide transfers to the Sepulveda Transit Corridor train.
