Overview
Metro, in cooperation with the City of Los Angeles, has initiated the environmental clearance to identify options for improving transit service along the Van Nuys Boulevard corridor. The study area is from Ventura Boulevard north to the 210 freeway, serving to better connect the Corridor to the regional transportation network. In addition to Metrolink, Amtrak, and the Metro Orange Line, the study area intersects with the US 101, I-5, and I-210 freeways, and runs parallel to the I-405 freeway. Van Nuys Boulevard has the second highest bus boardings in the San Fernando Valley.
Initial alternatives under consideration include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), Streetcar, as well as a No Build and Transportation System Management (TSM) scenarios. Metro is currently analyzing the various options for each transit type in order to narrow down the number of alternatives that will be carried forward to the environmental review phase.
Metro wants to hear about your vision for improving transit service on the Van Nuys corridor, including those that meet the following purpose and need:
- Improve Mobility - Improve mobility in the eastern San Fernando Valley by introducing an improved north-south transit connection with existing east-west service.
- Improve Air Quality - Encourage mode shift to transit in the congested Van Nuys Boulevard Corridor, thereby reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Improve Access - Improve transit access to jobs and discretionary trips within the corridor, thereby promoting economic growth.
- Improve Transit Options - Provide additional transit options in a largely transit dependent corridor where bus overcrowding is a frequent occurrence.
Keywords: Van Nuys Bl Rapidway
Last Revised:
Thursday October 13, 2011
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Overview '
FAQ
- What is an Alternatives Analysis (AA)?
- What is an Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/R)?
- What is being proposed for the East San Fernando Valley North/South Corridor?
- How will Metro decide which mode (i.e. Bus Rapid Transit, Light Rail Transit, or Streetcar) to select for the East San Fernando Valley corridor?
- How will the East San Fernando Valley Transit Project be funded?
- Will bike lanes be included along the corridor as part of this project?
- How will the location of stops or stations be determined?
- Will on-street parking be affected?
- Will businesses on the corridor be affected?
- How will a new transit system help the area economically?
- How will the proposed East San Fernando Valley Project improve transit connections to the entire region?
- Is Metro determining where the greatest number of people need to --or want to-- travel?
- Will a maintenance facility (for the proposed system) be needed?
- Will the East San Fernando Valley Transit Project look at connections beyond the San Fernando Valley into West Los Angeles and/or LAX?
- Does SB 211 (Robbins Bill) impact the project?
- When will this study be completed?
- How can the public participate in the planning process?
1. What is an Alternatives Analysis (AA)?
An AA identifies and analyzes the range of potential transit improvements within the study area in order to support a decision on a transit investment that meets stated goals and objectives for the corridor. For the East San Fernando Valley Corridor, the AA is combined with the formal environmental analysis, in that it is published in combination with the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) as an AA/EIS/EIR. An initial set of alternatives is developed at the on-set of the AA and is refined through public participation, at which time; the alternatives are presented to the public and agencies for review and comment.
In addition to the alternatives proposed, other transit alternatives identified during community meetings, public and agency comments and suggestions are evaluated for potential inclusion in the AA/EIS/EIR. Following this process, a screening of all the alternatives narrows down the number of alternatives based on a review against the project’s purpose and need, project goals and objectives, assessment of physical feasibility, and evaluation criteria developed for the project. A shorter list of alternatives will then be analyzed in more detail in the draft EIS/EIR and documented in the AA/EIS/EIR.
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2. What is an Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR)?
An EIS is a document that is prepared, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for projects requiring federal action where there may be significant impacts to the environment. An EIS identifies the potential social, economic, transportation and environmental benefits and impacts associated with the construction and operation of the project alternatives (proposed transportation investments) selected for evaluation in comparison to the No-Build Alternative (environment without the proposed transportation investments) and Transportation Systems Management Alternative (TSM) (low-cost improvements to the existing transportation system such as improved bus service).
The purpose of an EIS is to provide a full and open evaluation of impacts associated with the alternatives, as well as to inform decision-makers and the public of reasonable alternatives, if any, that could avoid or minimize adverse impacts and enhance the quality of the environment. It also identifies reasonable measures to mitigate any potential adverse impacts, if necessary. The evaluation of impacts is summarized in the Draft EIS document, which is circulated for public and agency comment over a 45-day period. Public hearings are held to present the results of the Draft EIS and to formally record all public comments. A Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) is then selected by the Metro Board of Directors from the project alternatives and is recommended for final refinement in the Final EIS.
A Final EIS is then prepared to catalogue and address public comments received during circulation of the Draft EIS. The Final EIS will identify and compare the impacts of the LPA to the No Build and TSM Alternatives evaluated in the Draft EIS.
An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is similar to an EIS, except that this document is required by the California Environmental Quality Act. State level requirements for an EIR are similar in content and purpose to the federal requirements of an EIS and, therefore, the two efforts are typically coordinated and combined into a single document.
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3. What is being proposed for the East San Fernando Valley North/South Corridor?
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and the City of Los Angeles are studying various options to improve transit service in the East San Fernando Valley Corridor (between Ventura Boulevard and the I-210 Freeway). Initial options being considered include:
- No-Build – Existing highway and transit services and facilities remain unchanged, except for any projects that are under construction and/or funded through 2035.
- Transportation Systems Management (TSM) – Lower cost capital improvements to increase transportation system efficiencies which can include intersection widening and signal timing along with increased bus service.
- Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – A premier, clean fuel (CNG), bus service – similar to the Metro Orange Line -- that could run in an exclusive lane or in mixed-flow traffic.
- Light Rail Transit (LRT) – An overhead electric-powered rail system, similar to the Metro Blue, Green and Gold Lines, that runs on an exclusive right-of-way.
- Streetcar – a smaller than LRT, overhead, electric-powered rail system, similar to the one in operation in Portland, OR. Typically streetcars run in mixed flow traffic, but can operate on an exclusive guideway similar to LRT.
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4. How will Metro decide which mode (i.e. Bus Rapid Transit, Light Rail Transit, or Streetcar) to select for the East San Fernando Valley corridor?
An Alternatives Analysis process is being used to narrow the potential options that will be studied in more detail through an EIS/EIR that complies with both federal and state environmental requirements. The alternatives will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Mobility Benefits and Impacts
- Regional Connectivity
- Cost-Effectiveness (such as capital and operating costs)
- Environmental Benefits and Impacts
- Land Use Considerations (such as job creation, development opportunities, and quality of life improvements)
- Community Support
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5. How will the East San Fernando Valley Transit Project be funded?
In 2008, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure R, a half-cent sales tax measure that will generate an estimated $40 billion dollars over 30 years, including approximately $65 million for the East San Fernando Valley Transit project. A total of $170 million has been identified for the project in Metro’s Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
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6. Will bike lanes be included along the corridor as part of this project?
In the Alternatives Analysis and the Environmental Study, we will pay close attention to bike facilities to be integrated into the project as well as at station facilities.
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7. How will the location of stops or stations be determined?
Generally, Metro locates stations approximately one mile apart. Streetcars have more closely spaced stops. The one-mile spacing enables railcars/buses to operate more efficiently and obtain greater travel speeds. Other factors include transfer opportunities to east-west bus lines as well as activity centers along or near the corridor, affording Metro the opportunity to maximize ridership potential.
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8. Will on-street parking be affected?
It is too early in the process to identify the effects on parking. A detailed Environmental Impact Statement/ Report (EIS/EIR) will be prepared to analyze this further and provide specific information.
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9. Will businesses on the corridor be affected?
Similar to the previous answer on parking, it is too early in the process to identify the effects the project will have on businesses. A detailed EIS/EIR will be prepared to analyze this further and provide specific information.
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10. How will a new transit system help the area economically?
A new high capacity transit system has the ability to create new development opportunities along the corridor because it will provide increased regional connectivity as well as increased travel options. It will also allow riders to conveniently access retail centers along the East San Fernando Valley Corridor, thereby stimulating increased sales revenues for local businesses.
Opportunities for transit oriented development (TOD) around stations can lead to providing service to residential and commercial projects which in turn create job opportunities.
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11. How will the proposed East San Fernando Valley Project improve transit connections to the entire region?
The East San Fernando Valley Corridor intersects with the Metro Orange Line which connects to the Metro Red Line in North Hollywood. The Corridor also intersects with Metrolink and Amtrak providing linkages to regional destinations. To the south, the Corridor intersects with the Ventura Boulevard Rapid Bus and to the north intersects the San Fernando Boulevard Rapid Bus (a route that provides services to downtown Los Angeles).
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12. Is Metro determining where the greatest number of people need to --or want to--travel?
To better learn where people want to travel to and from, who live and/or work in the corridor, is one of the key reasons Metro and the City of Los Angeles held Community Meetings in Fall 2011. We will continue to reach out to the community in an effort to better understand transit needs. Further, Metro will complete an Origin and Destination analysis to better understand that travel characteristics of patrons.
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13. Will a new maintenance facility (for the proposed system) be needed?
If a light rail transit or streetcar alternative is selected, it is likely that a new maintenance facility will be needed. If bus rapid transit is the preferred alternative, then modifications to Metro’s existing bus maintenance facilities or a new facility may be required. If the No-build or the TSM options is selected, existing maintenance facilities would be analyzed for potential expansion and modifications.
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14. Will the East San Fernando Valley Transit Project look at connections beyond the San Fernando Valley into West Los Angeles and/or LAX?
The project will evaluate travel patterns beyond the corridor itself as part of the ridership forecasting process. By evaluating travel demand outside of the corridor, Metro will have a better understanding of the number of riders that would be attracted to the new service. However, Metro is not studying a transit extension beyond the Ventura Boulevard terminus at this time. A separate study of the Sepulveda Pass Corridor will be undertaken by Metro. Both Study efforts will be coordinated.
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15. Does SB 211 (Robbins Bill) impact the project?
SB 211 applies certain restrictions to mass transit rail projects within the former Burbank/Chandler Branch rail right-of-way which was used to construct the Metro Orange Line. If rail is proposed as a build alternative, it would most likely connect to and/or cross the Burbank Branch ROW just north of Oxnard Street. Merely connecting to and/or crossing the Burbank Branch ROW should not subject the project to the restrictions contained in SB 211.
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16. When will this study be completed?
This study is expected to take about two years, and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2014.
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17. How can the public participate in the planning process?
Opportunities for public involvement will be provided throughout the planning process for the project. Metro representatives will be available to make presentations on the status of the project. Comments or inquiries can be made via the project website, phone, Facebook, and Twitter.
The public can submit comments and questions in a number of ways:
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Keywords: East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor
Last Revised:
Wednesday February 22, 2012
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