Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the Library’s Headlines blog, which you can also access via email subscription or RSS feed.
Van Nuys Rapidway project re-branded (Daily News)
The Metro project that sought to put a transit project on Van Nuys Boulevard has expanded its boundaries so that Sepulveda Boulevard will also be considered. The new name of the project is the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor — and a set of three public meetings begin Thursday. Many community members had wanted Sepulveda to be in the picture because another Metro project seeks to build a transit project over the Sepulveda Pass between the Westside and the Valley.
Expo Line bike crossing safety at Rodeo (LADOT Bike Blog)
At the junction of Exposition Boulevard, Rodeo Road and the Expo Line tracks, the roadway crosses the tracks at a severe angle. The blog gives some pointers to cyclists about crossing the tracks on this part of the Expo Line, which is in the street-running segment — meaning there are no crossing gates and trains and vehicles will be obeying traffic signals. (Photo by LADOT Bike Blog).
Are the exurbs history? (D.C. Streetsblog)
Recent Census data seems to show that growth in the most distant of suburbs has stalled over the past four years. Where is the growth going instead? Hard to say, says this analysis — although some core urban areas seem to be growing while their ‘burbs are shrinking.
Categories: Transportation Headlines
The Van Nuys corridor project absolutely needs to be tied in with the Sepulveda pass project and it needs to be in the form of rail transit. That’s how it will get the most usage/ridership and will be fastest transit option (due zero mixed traffic operations). Anything less would be a colossal blunder for what could be one of the greatest metro lines in LA’s history. Also, I would add that it should not end at the purple line but at least continue to expo where a transfer could be made to go to very important points west like Santa Monica. Let’s do it right this time, Metro. We DON’T want a north-south version of the orange line bus or a glorified 761 bus! We want true rapid transit! There is certainly more than enough demand for it.
The Sepulveda Pass project should be a part of a largers 405 corridor project. The final terminal should be the Sylmar Metrolink stop. Stops should include (at least): Sylmar Metrolink, Van Nuys Airport (FlyAway) or Sherman Way, Orange Line @ Sepulveda, Sherman Oaks Gallery / Ventura Blvd, Skirball/Mulhouland (with a station exit on each side of the freeway), Getty or UCLA or Sunset (at least 2 station exits), and then tie in with the Purple Line VA area station.
If the Sepulveda Pass project is a bus project, it will be an transit tragedy:
http://ridethepinkline.blogspot.com/2012/04/is-los-angeles-county-on-verge-of-bus.html
I think a lot of people want Van Nuys Blvd and the sepulveda pass project to not be mutually exclusive. It should go under the sepulveda pass or rather to the east of it more likely and continue up Van Nuys. I think failure to do both parts as rail and as one project would be metro’s greatest blunder.