LA Metro to break ground on Orange Line's light-rail conversion project

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today will break ground on a project to prepare its Orange Line bus rapid transit line for eventual conversion to light rail.

The project includes installation of four-quadrant gates at up to 35 busway intersections along the bus line's exclusive right of way between North Hollywood and Chatsworth, California. Metro also plans to build aerial bridges and stations at Van Nuys and Sepulveda boulevards.

The improvements will be funded through LA County's Measure M sales tax and California's Senate Bill 1.

During today's groundbreaking, state transportation officials are expected to present a $75 million check to Metro to highlight California's funding contribution, according to a Metro media advisory.

Metro's board approved the Orange Line improvements in July.