Several Valley elected officials — including county Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and Los Angeles City Council members Paul Krekorian and Bob Blumenfield — have united behind Metro’s potential ballot measure.
Others publicly supporting the plan include L.A. council members David Ryu and Paul Koretz, state Sen. Bob Hertzberg, CSUN President Dianne Harrison, The Valley Economic Allianceand the Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA).
“We are really here for one reason and that is to celebrate the new enormous plan for transit for Los Angeles county that, for the first time in the history of L.A. transit, actually does something for the San Fernando Valley,” Kuehl said.
The plan includes converting the Metro Orange Line to light rail, constructing the East San Fernando Valley transit corridor, connecting the Valley to the west side through the Sepulveda Pass and building a bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor along Nordhoff to serve California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
The Metro Board of Directors approved the final expenditure plan of funding priorities for a potential ballot measure in November.
“We all pulled together to make this happen. This is about the future of the San Fernando Valley and the future of Los Angeles,” Blumenfield said.
VICA officials applauded the Metro board for ensuring Valley transportation projects were included in the funding package for the potential ballot measure, projects they believe would ease traffic and improve the quality of life for local residents.
“This plan will transform how residents and business owners move around the Valley. Now is the time for the Valley to unite behind building efficient, convenient alternatives to congested freeways” said VICA President Stuart Waldman.