The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced its intention to provide funds for the first phase of the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor light rail line.
The DOT will provide $908.75 million in funding to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for the project, an FTA news release said this week. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $3.6 billion.
"The eastern San Fernando Valley Corridor is one of the busiest transit corridors in the nation," Polly Trottenberg, U.S. Transportation deputy secretary, said in the release. "This announcement is a big step toward creating more transit options, a better commute, and cleaner air for residents in the San Fernando Valley and all of Los Angeles."
The funding is part of the DOT's Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program, which was created in order to expedite "new fixed guideway capital projects, small starts projects, or core capacity improvement projects," a DOT report said this week.
"This project will give residents all over the Los Angeles metro area a convenient and reliable option to get to work, school, shopping, recreation, and healthcare," Ray Tellis, FTA Region 9 administrator, said in the release. "Adding this line will help reduce traffic jams and alleviate the climate impact that comes with them."
The light rail line project is being expedited because it is a 6.7-mile rail line that is intended to "connect residents to local and regional destinations and activity centers," the release said. By building rail line, the DOT hopes to reduce greenhouse emissions, improve air quality and reduce congestion; allowing for quicker transportation on the road and rail.
