Regional Rail

• Project Details
• Link Union Station - Notice of Preparation

The Brighton to Roxford Double Track Project (Project) will add a second main line track of approximately 9 miles along an existing 10.5-mile single track portion of the L.A. Metro-owned Valley Subdivision Railway in east San Fernando Valley. The corridor runs between Hollywood Way in the City of Burbank and Roxford Street in Sylmar traversing through the City of San Fernando and the City of Los Angeles communities of Sun Valley and Pacoima. When completed, this project will result in over 25 miles of continuous double track rail from Los Angeles Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles to the San Fernando Valley, which will enhance operations for future regional rail and mobility services and enhance safety along the corridor.

The existing railway is part of the Valley Subdivision, upon which Metrolink operates its Antelope Valley Line (AVL) commuter rail service between Los Angeles Union Station and Lancaster; the line is also used by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) to carry freight. The AVL was identified as needing infrastructure improvements to add operational flexibility for eventual improved regional rail and mobility service and added capacity. In addition to adding a second track to the mostly single-track line, the Project would enhance safety for the corridor communities and commuters on the AVL with safety-related improvements to roadways and sidewalks crossing the tracks, additional station platforms, construction of bridges, and new or extended drainage structure modifications.

Project Segments

The packaging of the design drawings was recently restructured into four separate proposed work packages with each offering independent utility. This restructure allows for the greatest flexibility to pursue each segment separately as construction funding allows:

• Segment 1 : CP Hollywood (Hollywood Way) to Sun Valley Siding (Sun Valley Station)
• Segment 2 : Sun Valley Siding (Sun Valley Station) to Van Nuys Boulevard
• Segment 3 : Van Nuys Boulevard to Sylmar/San Fernando Station
• Segment 4 : Sylmar/San Fernando Station to Roxford Street

Current Project Status

In June 2020, the state-level environmental review process was completed as the project became eligible and received a statutory exemption (SE) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The federal-level environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) will commence once a NEPA federal lead agency is being identified for this Project. Please check back later for more status updates on the NEPA process.

Project design is currently at 65% and is anticipated to reach 90% design as early as first quarter of 2021. Final project design is anticipated to be complete in late 2021.

In October 2019, full funding was identified for Segment 1 (CP Hollywood to Sun Valley Siding) through the Antelope Valley Line Service and Capacity Improvements Program. Additional funding will need to be identified for the construction of Segments 2, 3 and 4.

As project design continues and NEPA environmental review begins, Metro will continue to engage the community to provide input on this critical project.

Project Documents

• Notice of Exemption (May 2020)
• Read the latest detailed project updates from Metro Program Management

A unique combination of limited access, high traffic counts, adjacent industrial uses, and residential interests make safety and mobility enhancements in this area a priority issue. Both Doran Street and Broadway/Brazil are located on the south side of the State Route 134 (SR-134) and east of the Los Angeles River. Approximately 90 Metrolink, Amtrak and freight trains use this crossings daily. Metro is currently proposing an alternative that includes the Salem/Sperry Overpass, located at Salem Street in the City of Glendale to Sperry Street in the City of Los Angeles, connecting West San Fernando Road to San Fernando Road, and a connector road that extends West San Fernando Road to the Fairmont Avenue bridge.

Project Details

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is evaluating the addition of a second mainline track along the Metrolink San Bernardino Line in the cities of San Dimas and La Verne. The proposed 3.9-mile double track segment would be located between Lone Hill Ave and White Ave. The goal of the proposed project is to enhance safety, improve Metrolink service, and upgrade 12 at-grade crossings to be “Quiet Zone Ready” and 1 grade-separated crossing at the 57 freeway.

• Upcoming Meetings
• Factsheet
• FAQ
• Past Meeting Presentations
• Open House Presentation - May 16 & 17, 2017
• Project Display Boards- May 16 & 17, 2017

An environmental evaluation and design of up to 30% has been completed. Agency staff anticipate proceeding into a final design stage, pending Board approvals.

• 30% Design Project Report
• 30% Plans + Drawings
• Environmental Documentation
• Noise + Vibration Report
• Outreach Summary

For additional information re: this project, please visit:

• https://mtadash.mlmprojectservices.com/projects/46646#/scope

• Eliminates the at-grade intersection of Rancho Vista Boulevard and Sierra Highway by creating a grade separation including raising the profile of Rancho Vista Boulevard over Sierra Highway and the adjacent Metrolink and UPRR tracks
• Reduces traffic delays due to train operations
• Enhances traffic operations
• Increases rail, traffic, and pedestrian safety
• Reduces existing traffic congestion and delay along Rancho Vista Boulevard, Sierra Highway, Avenue P-8, and at the Rancho Vista Boulevard/Sierra Highway intersection
• Measure R funded

The Antelope Valley Line (AVL) Feasibility Study (“Study”) is intended to look at increasing the frequency of the Metrolink service and develop a phased and prioritized approach for capital improvements based on benefits, costs and impacts. Metro is conducting the Study and ultimately seeking solutions to realize the full potential of the AVL. The AVL is currently Metrolink’s third busiest line with approximately 7,000 passengers per weekday. The AVL is facing a variety of service challenges due to aging infrastructure through parts of mountainous terrain, on approximately 60% on single track. Single track infrastructure system is comparable to bi-directional traffic on a single lane. This feasibility study is anticipated for completion as early as Winter 2019.

• Study Fact Sheet
• Study Map
• Feasibility Reports:
  • Antelope Valley Line Study - Final Report
  • Appendix I: Existing Conditions Report
  • Appendix 2: Modeling and Evaluation of Initial Service Scenarios
  • Appendix 3: Tasks 5 and 6: Infrastructure Improvements and Cost Estimates for Modeled Service Scenarios
  • Appendix 4: Tasks 7: Second Stage Evaluation of Capital Projects
• Recent Metro Board Reports:

• Metro Antelope Valley Line Feasibility Study Update- July 25, 2019
  Metro Antelope Valley Line Feasibility Study Motion 5.1- July 25, 2019
  AVL Motion from July 2019. Attachment B

• For any questions, please contact Brian Balderrama at Metro Regional Rail at regionalr@metro.net

Metro, in collaboration with Metrolink (SCRRA), welcomes you to take the survey (this survey is now closed) .

• English survey
• Spanish survey español
• Armenian survey Հայերեն

Metro staff are conducting a feasibility study to consider adding additional stations in the City of Glendale and in the City of Los Angeles as well as considering opportunities to provide more frequent passenger rail service throughout the day from Los Angeles Union Station to the City of Burbank and ultimately to the Antelope Valley.   This could include enhanced Metrolink service, Electric Multiple Unit/Diesel Multiple Unit (EMU/DMU) and/or Light Rail Transit (LRT) for the corridor between Los Angeles and Burbank Airport.

This study is an early step in examining increased rail connectivity in the Los Angeles, Glendale and Burbank Corridor. Additional stations would need to be spaced appropriately and limited so as not to severely affect travel time for those travelling beyond Burbank to the outer terminus of the lines in Ventura and the Antelope Valley. Furthermore, the study will address possible options for increasing the City of Glendale’s access to the Regional Transit System within the context of the existing Metrolink and Amtrak system, North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and future High Speed Rail service.

Please continue to check this website for any additional information or updates. The Study is scheduled for completion as early as Winter 2019.

• Board Report
• Board Report – July 25, 2019
• For any questions, please contact Jay Fuhrman at Metro Regional Rail at regionalr@metro.net

Metro, in collaboration with Metrolink (SCRRA), welcomes you to take the survey. (this survey is now closed).

• English survey
• Spanish survey español
• Armenian survey Հայերեն
• Reports:
  • L.A.-Glendale- Burbank Corridor Feasibility Study Reports and Supporting Appendices
  • Final Report
  • Executive Summary
    • Appendix A
    • Appendix B
    • Appendix C
    • Appendix D
    • Appendix E
    • Appendix F
    • Appendix G
    • Appendix H
    • Appendix I

In March 2016, the Metro Board of Directors unanimously approved a motion to examine the feasibility of relocating three existing Metrolink stations and creating a new Metrolink station at the base of Rio Hondo College. The three existing stations under study are the Northridge, El Monte, and Montebello/Commerce stations.

Project details

The City of Claremont hosted a community meeting on December 11, 2017 with representatives from Metro, Metrolink and the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority. Staff representatives from each agency presented preliminary findings of a study assessing the potential impacts of removing the Claremont Metrolink Station.

Below are links to the City of Claremont's webpages with the presentation and handout from this meeting:

• Claremont's City News Update on Metrolink Station Community Meeting
• Claremont Metrolink Station Study Presentation
• Claremont Metrolink Station Study Supplemental Handout

The public is encouraged to send comments to Metro through December 21, 2017:

Regional Rail
Metro
One Gateway Plaza, MS 99-17-2
Los Angeles, CA 90012
regionalrail@metro.net

Presentation of findings and recommendations were presented to the MetroBoard in January 2018. Metro staff recommended that the Metrolink Claremont Station remain open. It is anticipated that a task force will be established to proactively develop a toolbox of strategies that would make the Metrolink and future Gold Line services better complement each other.

This study includes 110 at-grade railroad crossings along 132 miles of Metro-owned railroad right-of-way that Metrolink operates commuter rail service in Los Angeles County.  Phase 1 of the study includes an overall strategy to enhance safety at grade crossings and along rail corridors, and identify potential funding sources for the improvements.  Phase 2 of the study includes an evaluation of several high-priority grade crossings for potential grade separation candidates.

The study will:

• Identify safety improvements and infrastructure enhancements for all Metrolink stations in Los Angeles County
• Establish the minimum standards and/or amenities each station should have to provide a consistent passenger experience
• Measure R funded
• Adds a second platform to meet increasing rail traffic demands
• Provides safe pedestrian access through a grade separated pedestrian crossing
• Improves travel times for intercity and commuter rail service
• Improves train operational reliability and on-time performance
• Serves both Amtrak and Metrolink passengers
• Serves 32 trains per weekday

Metro completed the planning and design of this project. This project is currently under construction with Metrolink. Please visit the Metrolink website for any information regarding construction-related updates.

• Creates a center platform to meet increasing rail traffic demands
• Provides safe pedestrian access through a grade separated pedestrian crossing
• Improves travel times for intercity and commuter rail service
• Improves train operational reliability and on-time performance
• Serves both Amtrak and Metrolink passengers
• Serves 32 trains per weekday
• Measure R funded
• Project Area Map
• Van Nuys Station Project Fact Sheet
• Community Meeting Presentation

The new Burbank Airport – North Metrolink Station is located only one mile from the airport terminals north of Hollywood Burbank Airport on the Antelope Valley Line of the Metrolink system. The construction of the new station began March 2017 and was completed in May 2018. Operations began in May 2018.

Past Informational Items

• Newsletter (Summer 2017)
• Flyer/Fact Sheet – English/Spanish (March 2017)
• Frequently Asked Questions (March 2017)
• Preguntas Frecuentes (marzo de 2017)
• Display Boards (March 2017)
• Presentation (March 2017)

Video Presentations

• Webcast – Video Recording (March 2017)
• Virtual Open House – Video (March 2017)

Additional platform for boarding and siding to relieve congestion for passenger and goods movement.

Construction complete! This project is in service with Metrolink

In response to a Federal mandate, PTC was created and is an advanced technology train collision/derailment avoidance system which uses predictive enforcement to automatically engage the brakes and stop a train in advance of potential train-to-train collision, train over speed, unauthorized entry, or movement thru a misaligned switch. Metrolink was the first passenger rail system in the nation to operate PTC technology across their network.