LA Metro Friday celebrated the groundbreaking of a $668 million construction project on the G (Orange) Line that is expected to improve bus safety, speed and reliability for the San Fernando Valley.
The G Line Improvements Project will bring the first most significant upgrades to the busway in its nearly 20-year history. It’s intended to reduce end-to-end bus travel by 12 minutes, or nearly 30%. The project is funded by Measure M, a 2016 voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transit expansion, traffic relief measures and to improve streets and sidewalks.
During a morning news conference at the Van Nuys G Line station, Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said the project is reaffirming its commitment to improving service for all valley residents.
“When this project is completed in 2027, those end-to-end bus travel times will speed up — and that’s good news, not only for the people who take 15,000 trips every weekday on this line, but it’ll also be good for the thousands of spectators we expect for BMX, skateboarding and archery,” Wiggins said.
These improvements will be made in time for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games, Wiggins said. She signaled Mariah Bell, a figure skater who competed in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and Tracy Eisser, a rower who competed in the 2016 Rio and 2021 Tokyo Olympics
Some of the sporting competitions will be at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, a first for the San Fernando Valley. L.A. previously hosted the 1932 and 1984 Olympics.
According to Metro, the project will feature an aerial bridge over Van Nuys Boulevard, making room for another street-level station for the future East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project.
It will also bring two additional bridges over Vesper Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard, four-quadrant gates at 13 busy intersections between North Hollywood and Van Nuys, and other safety features such as flashing lights, bells, raised medians and crosswalk gates for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Additional bike lockers and bike parking will be offered at select Metro G Line stations. The transit agency plans to resurface the adjacent bike path, painting new striping and installing new lights, signs and fencing, too.
To improve traffic, part of the project entails a new transit signal system. Metro officials noted buses will have an extended signal phase, giving them the next green light in an intersection’s phasing cycle.
The G Line serves the valley, connecting Chatsworth to the North Hollywood B (Red) Line station.
“You’ll see a new bus every five minutes. All right, that’s a reason to get excited. For thousands of parents who are using the G Line to get their kids to school in the morning, or those who are trying to get to their doctor’s appointments during their lunch break — five minute headways matter ,” County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla, who represents the Sixth District, encompassing Van Nuys, thanked the community for their patience and resilience, noting that construction “isn’t always easy.”
For the project, the Van Nuys station, parking lot and a nearby bike path will close for three years. Metro has planned detours between Sepulveda Boulevard and Woodman for bus riders and cyclists during the construction period.
“You have raised your voices and Metro has listened,” Padilla added. “Because of you, Metro has worked to protect trees, design safer crossing and ensure cyclists weren’t left out.”
Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who represents the 3rd District, including neighborhoods in the western portion of the valley, noted this link is critical and gets his constituents to the Red Line.
“It’s game-changing for the whole valley,” Blumenfield said.