L.A. Metro Confirms Heavy-Rail Subway for Sepulveda Corridor

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) board has approved a heavy-rail underground line as the Locally Preferred Alternative for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor. The multi-billion dollar project aims to build a high-capacity rail connection through the Sepulveda Pass, linking the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles to bypass chronic congestion on the I-405 freeway.

Operational & Technical Details

The board’s selection solidifies the project’s technical direction. The plan calls for an entirely underground alignment utilizing a single-bore tunnel to traverse the Santa Monica Mountains. This approach accommodates automated, driverless heavy-rail vehicles, enabling high-frequency service with trains planned to run every 2.5 minutes during peak travel times. The northern terminus will integrate with the Van Nuys Metrolink Station, the G Line (bus rapid transit), and a future East San Fernando Valley light-rail line. The southern terminus connects to the existing E Line, creating a crucial north-south link in the regional network.

Market Impact Analysis

Advancing the Sepulveda Transit Corridor to the environmental review stage unlocks one of the most significant public works projects in the United States. The decision creates a clear pipeline for large-scale contracts in tunneling, systems engineering, rolling stock procurement, and construction management. L.A. Metro has indicated a reliance on state, local, and federal funding, and has raised the possibility of public-private partnerships (P3) to address funding shortfalls. This P3 consideration opens the door for private consortiums to bid on financing, building, and potentially operating the line, mirroring models used for other global megaprojects. The project is critical to improving regional mobility ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.

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