L.A. Metro’s East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor accepted into FTA’s expedited delivery program
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Phase 1 light-rail line will become the second project to enter the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) Pilot Program.
A Letter of Intent was issued to L.A. Metro outlining several conditions that must be met in the next two years to allow the project to be considered for a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) as part of the EPD Pilot Program. The project’s current capital cost is estimated at $3.635 billion with FTA intending to obligate 25 percent of the final net capital project cost or $908.75 million, which ever is the less amount.
"The eastern San Fernando Valley Corridor is one of the busiest transit corridors in the nation," said U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. "This announcement is a big step toward creating more transit options, a better commute, and cleaner air for residents in the San Fernando Valley and all of Los Angeles."
The first phase of the 6.7-mile at-grade light-rail project would connect L.A. Metro’s Van Nuys/MOL station to Van Nuys/San Fernando. The project includes 11 stations, nine traction power substations, overhead contact system, 34 vehicles and a maintenance and storage facility.
L.A. Metro notes the project will improve mobility with a north-south line to help connect residents to local and regional destinations and activity centers. The project will link to L.A. Metro’s G (Orange) BRT line and the Metrolink Ventura County line.
"This project will give residents all over the Los Angeles metro area a convenient and reliable option to get to work, school, shopping, recreation, and healthcare," said FTA Region 9 Administrator Ray Tellis. "Adding this line will help reduce traffic jams and alleviate the climate impact that comes with them."
The EPD Pilot Program aims to expedite the delivery of new fixed guideway capital projects, small starts projects or core capacity improvement projects. These projects must utilize public-private partnerships, be operated and maintained by employees of an existing public transportation provider and have a federal share not exceeding 25 percent of the project cost.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project became the first to be accepted into the EPD Pilot Program.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
