Los Angeles Metro officially broke ground on October 19, 2026, on one of the county’s most anticipated and needed transportation infrastructure projects, paving the way for a new light rail line connecting Van Nuys and Pacoima over 6.7 miles through the San Fernando Valley.
The $4 billion East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project will introduce 11 new stations along Van Nuys Boulevard, bringing improved public transportation access to thousands of residents. Construction is underway, with the line expected to be completed in early 2032.
Where will the new Valley light rail line go?
The new electric train service will run along the center median of Van Nuys Boulevard, connecting the Metro G Line in Van Nuys with San Fernando Road in Pacoima. Its 11 stations will be approximately three-quarters of a mile apart, serving several communities along the eastern San Fernando Valley. Starting from the southern end, the complete route will include:
- Van Nuys Metro G Line Station
- Victory
- Vanowen
- Sherman Way
- Van Nuys Metrolink
- Roscoe
- Nordhoff
- Woodman
- Arleta
- Laurel Canyon
- San Fernando
The line will serve neighborhoods including Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima, providing connections to existing regional transportation services. Riders will be able to transfer to the G Line and connect with Metrolink and Amtrak at the Van Nuys station.
The route will also improve access to major local destinations, including the Van Nuys Civic Center, Panorama Mall, Mission Community Hospital and Arleta High School. According to Metro, trains are expected to run every 7 to 10 minutes during peak hours.
What to know about the San Fernando Valley Light Rail
The corridor was initially included in the 2008 Measure R transportation plan, when improvements to north-south bus service were envisioned. Following years of planning and environmental reviews, Metro selected light rail as its preferred transportation mode in 2020.
The approved project includes a double-track electric train system operating at street level, 33 light rail vehicles, and a dedicated maintenance and storage facility in Van Nuys.
Beyond the new rail service, the project includes upgraded sidewalks, improved roadway designs, ADA-accessible infrastructure and safer pedestrian crossings. It will also bring construction-related employment opportunities, with Metro projecting more than 18,000 direct and indirect jobs associated with construction and operations.
Once completed in early 2032, the line will restore local rail service to Van Nuys Boulevard for the first time since Pacific Electric streetcars stopped running there in 1952.
