Metro and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation are holding two public meetings this month on the ESFV parking study, which looks at street parking along the planned East San Fernando Valley light rail line. The first is a virtual session on Thursday, Nov. 12, and the second is in person in Van Nuys on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Both meetings cover the same material, so residents and business owners can pick whichever format fits their schedule.
When and where to join the ESFV parking study meetings
The virtual meeting runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 on Zoom (webinar ID 86094040253). People can also join by phone at (213) 338-8477. Spanish interpretation is available.
The in-person meeting runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Van Nuys Masonic Lodge No. 450, 14750 Sherman Way. It includes a presentation, interactive polling and an open house. Free parking is available on site, and Metro suggests Bus Line 162 for anyone who would rather not drive.
Metro hired an independent consultant to study current parking conditions along the corridor. The consultant also explored ways to manage parking once construction and operations begin. Metro and LADOT now want community feedback before they settle on next steps, according to the meeting listing.
Why parking matters on Van Nuys Boulevard
The line is a 6.7-mile, street-level light rail route along Van Nuys Boulevard. It will link the G Line Van Nuys Station to San Fernando Road, with 11 stations including Sherman Way, Van Nuys Metrolink and Arleta. Because trains will run at street level, some curbside parking on Van Nuys Boulevard has to go. Metro says it is working with the City of Los Angeles on alternatives, as described on the project page.
For shop owners, that raises a practical question: where will customers park? For residents on side streets, the worry is spillover. The parking study is the place where both concerns can go on the record.
Construction timeline and what comes next
Utility relocation and early work run from 2022 to 2026. Major construction of the guideway, stations, maintenance facility and systems then runs from 2026 to 2032. Metro lists early 2032 as the estimated completion date. During construction, expect phased traffic changes and K-rail barriers along Van Nuys Boulevard.
Once running, trains are expected every 7 to 10 minutes at peak hours. Funding comes from Measure M, state sources, federal grants and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Metro is also studying a 2.5-mile northern extension to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station.
We covered the start of work in our earlier report on East San Fernando Valley light rail construction. Another Valley project, the Sepulveda corridor, also held public meetings recently; see our post on the Sepulveda Transit Corridor scoping meetings. For more city news, visit our Los Angeles and California guide.