There will be two open houses in March to discuss the latest work on the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Improvements Project. The Measure M-funded project seeks to speed up the Orange Line, make the line safer, and more reliable by installing up to 35 railroad-style crossing gates at intersections and building bridges for the busway and Orange Line Bike Path over Van Nuys Blvd. and Sepulveda Blvd. Last October, Metro broke ground on the bridge at Sepulveda Station, and the open houses will include an update on construction.
In early March, Metro ran a simulation on the Orange Line on a Sunday morning to see what run times might be like with gates (LAPD officers played the role of the gates). Metro staff believes the test demonstrates that Metro is barking up the right tree and that this project will significantly improve the Orange Line’s safety and travel times and make the bus more appealing to more people.
At the same time, while improving safety and reducing travel times, the gates will increase delays for cross traffic, and San Fernando Valley residents will have to adjust as their fellow citizens in the San Gabriel Valley did when the Gold Line opened, and as Westside residents did when the Expo Line opened. Staff will be sharing new information on the traffic analysis results at the upcoming meetings, and attendees can dig in with Metro staff to see how their neighborhood will be changing.
The open houses will run for two and a half hours. Short presentations will be given at 8 a.m. in Canoga Park and at 5 p.m. in North Hollywood, and again as needed. Meeting details:
Canoga Park
Tuesday, March 26, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Rose Goldwater Community Center
Westfield Topanga
21710 Vanowen St.
Canoga Park, CA 91303
This is on the northeast corner of Westfield Topanga, at the intersection of Vanowen and Owensmouth
North Hollywood
Wednesday, March 27, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
North Hollywood Senior Center
5301 Tujunga Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
The Senior Center is served by the Orange Line and Metro Bus 237. Parking is available at the North Hollywood Recreation Center and at the Metro Orange Line station at Tujunga and Chandler.