G Line Improvements Project kicks off 

Good news for San Fernando Valley riders! Last week, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the G Line Improvements Project, a group of infrastructure upgrades designed to improve bus safety, speed, and reliability for G Line riders (approximately 15,000 every weekday) as well as pedestrians and cyclists. When complete, the project is expected to reduce end-to-end bus travel on the G Line by 12 minutes, or nearly 22 percent.  

Caption: The G Line serves the San Fernando Valley, connecting Chatsworth to the North Hollywood B (Red) Line station. 

Built in 2005 along a former railroad right of way used by Southern Pacific and later the Pacific Electric streetcars, the G Line is a 17.7-mile, 17-station bus rapid transit (BRT) line modeled on busways built during the 1970s in Curitiba, Brazil. The idea, in short, is to run a bus like it’s a train. In October, 2021, the G Line also became our first bus line to be electrified with zero-emission buses. 

The G Line has proven very popular over its first two decades – it’s one of our busiest bus lines in terms of ridership. Treating buses like trains has advantages in terms of speed and reliability, but there are challenges, too. Safety is one of them – particularly at places where the G Line crosses busy streets in its journey across the Valley. That’s why we’re adding features to make sure riders can safely cross streets to reach the stations, such as crossing gates and better lighting. Speed is another issue. While the G Line is much faster than a local bus line, upgrades to our signaling technology are expected to shave time from commutes –– meaning you won’t be waiting as long for your ride.  

The improvements are expected to be complete in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. That will be a boon to spectators attending events at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area as well as Angelenos and visitors to the region for decades to come.  

What you can expect when the project is complete:  

• Four-quadrant railroad-style crossing gates at 13 intersections between North Hollywood and Van Nuys — the G Line’s busiest section. You’ll see safety features like flashing lights and bells, raised medians and pedestrian/bicyclist crosswalk gates. 

• New signaling technology in conjunction with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), which will give buses the next green light in an intersection’s phasing cycle. TL:DR – you can get to your destination faster. 

• Three new bridges at Van Nuys Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard and Vesper Avenue to physically separate buses from cars and allow light rail trains on the future East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project –– a 6.7-mile street-level rail line connecting Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta, and Pacoima –– to pass underneath.  

• A new aerial Van Nuys Station.  

• Resurfacing the adjacent bike path (think new striping, lighting, signage, and fencing) to improve safety and your overall experience.  

• New bike lockers and bike parking at selected G Line stations.  

Construction is already underway –– please keep this in mind as you plan your next trip! In late February, we began detouring buses and cyclists off the bus right-of-way and adjacent bike path between Woodman and Sepulveda G Line Stations to begin construction work at Van Nuys Station. Van Nuys Station will remain closed throughout the construction period. Read more about the detours here.  

The $668-million transit project is funded by Metro’s 2016 Measure M and 1990’s Prop C voter-approved sales taxes, as well as SB-1 funds from the state.  

One question we’ve received from riders: Yes, this project lays the groundwork for long-term improvements. Although it’s a project well into the future, Measure M has provided some funding to convert the G Line to a rail line. The work we’re doing now is compatible with that goal; the new bridges, for example, will be built to standards to accommodate trains.  

This isn’t the only Metro project coming to the Valley. In coming years, we’ll be building the light rail line on Van Nuys Boulevard, as well as bus improvements in the North Valley, the North Hollywood to Pasadena Transit Corridor Project, and the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project. Stay tuned for more updates.