AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Cynthia Owens, Municipal Affairs Program Manager
Subject: SEPULVEDA TRANSIT CORRIDOR
Attachments: 1. Sepulveda Transit Corridor Alternatives
2. Average Weekday Boardings by Station
3. Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce - Letter of Support
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is requesting the City Council provide a recommendation on preferred alignments for the Metro Sepulveda Transit Corridor where four of the five alignments include a seamless connection with the Purple Line and an on-campus stop at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Additionally, staff is requesting the City Council provide feedback on joining the STC4All coalition.
DISCUSSION
Background
The natural barrier created by the Santa Monica Mountains makes traveling between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside challenging. In 2016, Los Angeles County voters approved the Measure M Expenditure Plan, which includes transit improvements between the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The Measure provides for the implementation of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project in two phases with the first segment between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside and the second segment being an extension to LAX.
Metro has established six goals for this project:
Staff recommends the City Council review the five alternatives for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor; make a recommendation on which alignments the City would like to support; and provide direction on officially joining the Sepulveda Transit Corridor for All (STC4All) coalition. Once the City Council provides direction, staff will draft a letter for the Mayor to send to Metro and STC4All with the recommendations supported by a majority of the City Council.
INTRODUCTION
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
1. Improve mobility;
2. Improve accessibility and promote equity;
3. Support community and economic development;
4. Protect environmental resources and support a sustainable transportation system;
5. Provide a cost-effective solution and minimize risk; and
6. Enhance resiliency.
Metro initially evaluated six alternatives to connect the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. Currently, five alternatives have moved forward for environmental review, with two monorail and three heavy rail alternatives under consideration. In the attachments to this report, you will either see alternative 2 crossed out or removed as alternative 2 is no longer under consideration.
Overview of Alternatives
The set of five alternatives for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor includes aerial and underground configurations in both San Fernando Valley and the Westside. Aerial alignments generally follow existing roadway rights-of-way, while underground alignments sometimes deviate from roadway rights-of-way. Between the San Fernando Valley and Westside, underground alignments traveling through the Santa Monica Mountains do not typically follow roadway rights-of-way.
In the San Fernando Valley, the five alternatives include alignments that follow I-405, Sepulveda Boulevard, and Van Nuys Boulevard, offering differing connection options to the Metro G Line (Orange) and the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Line. On the Westside, the alternatives include alignments that follow I-405, Sepulveda Boulevard, and Bundy Drive, offering differing connection options to the Metro D Line (Purple) and the Metro E Line (Expo). The northern end of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project would be at the Metrolink/Amtrak station at Van Nuys Boulevard and Saticoy Street, and the southern end point at the Metro E Line (Expo).
Of the five alignments, four of them (Alternatives 3, 4, 5, and 6) have a seamless connection from the Sepulveda Transit Corridor to the Purple Line which includes a direct stop on the UCLA campus. These four Sepulveda Transit Corridor alignments connect with the Purple Line at the Wilshire/Westwood Station where riders can take an escalator to transition to/from each of these rail lines. It should be noted that in Attachment 2, these four alignments have a ridership that is projected to be higher than Alternative 1 and are forecasted to have a greater impact on reducing commute times to the UCLA campus.
Alternative 1 would provide a transition from the Purple Line to the Sepulveda Transit Corridor at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital (VA Hospital). For riders on either the Purple Line or the Sepulveda Transit Corridor who desire to commute to UCLA would need to take either of the two lines to the VA Hospital and then either walk one mile to the UCLA campus or take a Metro bus. The anticipated time to ride a bus from the VA hospital to UCLA is 15 to 20 minutes. Most likely, the lower ridership anticipated for Alternative 1 is due to the lack of seamless connection to UCLA.
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
STC4All
STC4All approached City staff seeking support for an alignment which involves Alternatives 3, 4, 5 and 6 as these alignments would provide more access and mobility to both the UCLA campus and its medical centers.
STC4All is building a coalition to enhance advocacy efforts around two goals:
1. Ensure the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Metro line includes a direct on-campus UCLA station; and
2. Ensure the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Metro line includes a seamless connection to the Purple Line at Westwood Village.
According to STC4All, approximately 26 percent of the commuters to UCLA, students and staff, come from the north and would benefit from Alternatives 3,4, 5 and 6. UCLA is also the 4th largest employer on the Westside due not only to the University but also due to the medical center, health clinics, and research labs.
STC4All made a presentation on May 28 to the Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) Transportation Working Group, whereby the group expressed general support for an alignment which involves Alternatives 3, 4, 5, or 6. City Transportation Planning staff participate in the monthly Transportation Working Group meetings and serve as one of three WSCCOG representatives on the Metro Westside/Central Service Council.
Additionally, STC4All made a presentation to the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce (Chamber of Commerce) Government Affairs Committee (GAC) at their June 13 meeting. The GAC recommended the Board for the Chamber of Commerce support Alternatives 3, 4, 5 and 6. The Board for the Chamber of Commerce voted to support the GAC recommendation of these four alternatives as well and sent a letter of support to the City (Attachment 3).
Traffic and Parking Commission
On August 1, 2024, City staff presented a report to the Traffic and Parking Commission (Commission) on the Sepulveda Transit Corridor. Staff provided an overview of the five remaining alignments to the Commission along with the benefits of choosing to support Alternatives 3, 4, 5, and 6. Additionally, staff requested the Commission consider recommending the City join the STC4All coalition to amplify the City’s voice for the preferred alignments.
After asking questions and making comments, the Commission voted to recommend the City Council advocate for Alternatives 3, 4, 5 and 6 as it would provide a larger benefit to the community and to join the STC4All coalition.
As of the writing of this report, some of the organizations in support of STC4All’s call for Alternative 3, 4, 5 or 6 include, but is not limited to:
Westwood Village
UCLA
Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce
Sant Monica Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles Community College District
West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for planning of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor is provided by Measure M and Measure R with the project scheduled to open between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside in 2033–2035 ($5.7 billion) and a future extension to LAX opening in 2057– 2059 ($3.8 billion). Metro will seek funding for the construction at a future date.
There is no anticipated direct fiscal impact to the City. The City is not being asked to contribute funding to the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project nor is there a cost associated to join STC4All.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for planning of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor is provided by Measure M and Measure R with the project scheduled to open between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside in 2033–2035 ($5.7 billion) and a future extension to LAX opening in 2057– 2059 ($3.8 billion). Metro will seek funding for the construction at a future date.
There is no anticipated direct fiscal impact to the City. The City is not being asked to contribute funding to the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project nor is there a cost associated to join STC4All.
Shana Epstein
Public Works Director
Keith Sterling
Deputy City Manager
Concurred By Approved By
Attachment 1
Sepulveda Transit Corridor
Alternative 2 (Monorail)
BALDWIN
HILLS
BEL AIR
BRENTWOOD
CHEVIOT
HILLS
ENCINO
CULVER
CITY
HILLS
MAR VISTA
PACIFIC
PALISADES
PANORAMA
CITY
CENTURY
CITY
RESEDA
STUDIO
CITY
SUN VALLEY
TARZANA
TOLUCA
LAKE
VALLEY
GLEN
VALLEY
VILLAGE
WINNETKA
WOODLAND
HILLS
BEVERLY HILLS
SANTA MO NICA BL
VENTURA BL
BNOYNACAGNAPOT L
SUNSET BL
WILSHIRE BL
SAN V ICENTE BL
MASON AV
MULHO LLAND HIG HWAY
VENICE BL
BEVERLYGLEN
A ND DR
MOORPARK ST
C OLDWATER CANYO NDR
SATICOY ST
LAB OB BA L
MAGNOLIA BL
OXNARD ST
BURBANK BL
WO VAYELDO
SHERMAN WAY
LA RU E YNACL ON BL
WOODMAN AV
SEPULVEDA BL
JEFFERSO N BL
170
101
101
10 5
405
405
BURBANK
BL
East San Fernando Valley
Light Rail Transit Line
(Pre-construction)
Metro Purple (D Line)
Extension Transit Project
(Under Construction)
Metro Busway & Stations
Amtrak/Metrolink Line
& Stations
Sepulveda Transit Corridor
Subject to Change 22-0550 ©2022 LACMTA
Alternative 2 (Aerial)
Metro Rail Lines & Stations
G
Westwood Park
Ronald Reagan
UCLA Medical
Center
SEPULVEDA BL
WILSHIRE BL
WESTWOOD BL
West LA Veterans
Administration
Main Hospital
UCLA Ackerman
Student Union
CHARLES E YOUNG DR
LE CONTE AV
Los Angeles
National Cemetery
VETERAN AV
Federal Building
WESTWOOD
SANTA
MONICA
HOLLYWOOD
WEST
HOLLYWOOD
VICTORY BL
PICO BL
APM Maintenance
& Storage Facility
Westwood Inset Area
See Inset
ROSCOE BL
Automated People
Mover (Underground)
Gateway
Plaza
Getty Center
405
SEPULVEDA BL
405
VAN
NUYS
Options for
Maintenance
& Storage
Facility Site
G Line Inset Area
Woodley
Avenu e Park
Delano Park
OXN ARD ST
405
SHERMAN
OAKS
SEPULVEDA BL
VICTORY BL
Proposed
New At-Grade
G Line Station
See Inset
Future Aerial
G Line Station
mode
Automated monorail
alignment
Aerial
length (miles)
15.3 # of stations
8 southern terminus
Expo/Sepulveda
ucla connection
Electric bus
maintenance and
storage facility
options
> East of I-405, south
of Metrolink VC Line
tracks
> East of Van Nuys
Metrolink Station
stations
> Metro E Line/
Sepulveda
> Santa Monica Bl
> Wilshire Bl
(Metro D Line)
> Getty Center
> Ventura Bl
> Metro G Line
> Sherman Way
> Van Nuys
Metrolink Station
mode
Automated monorail
alignment
Aerial
length (miles)
15.8 # of stations
8 southern terminus
Expo/Sepulveda
ucla connection
People mover
maintenance and
storage facility
options
> East of I-405, south
of Metrolink VC Line
tracks
> East of Van Nuys
Metrolink Station
stations
> Metro E Line/
Sepulveda
> Santa Monica Bl
> Wilshire Bl
(Metro D Line)
> Getty Center
> Ventura Bl
> Metro G Line
> Sherman Way
> Van Nuys
Metrolink Station
alternative 1
alternative 2
mode
Automated monorail
alignment
Aerial/underground
length (miles)
16.2 # of stations
9 (7 aerial,
2 underground)
southern terminus
Expo/Sepulveda
ucla connection
Station under campus
maintenance and
storage facility
options > East of I-405, south
of Metrolink VC Line
tracks
> East of Van Nuys
Metrolink Station
stations > Metro E Line/
Sepulveda**
> Santa Monica Bl** > Wilshire Bl
(Metro D Line)
*
> UCLA Gateway Plaza
*
> Getty Center** > Ventura Bl** > Metro G Line** > Sherman Way** > Van Nuys Metrolink Station**
mode
Automated heavy rail
alignment
Aerial/underground
length (miles)
14 # of stations
8 (4 aerial,
4 underground)
southern terminus
Expo/Sepulveda
ucla connection
Station under campus
maintenance and
storage facility
West of Woodman/South
of Metrolink VC Line
stations > Metro E Line/
Sepulveda
*
> Santa Monica Bl
*
> Wilshire Bl
(Metro D Line)
*
> UCLA Gateway Plaza
*
> Ventura Bl** > Metro G Line** > Sherman Way** > Van Nuys Metrolink Station**
alternative 3
alternative 4
*
underground
**aerial *
underground
**aerial
mode
Automated heavy rail
alignment
Underground
length (miles)
14 # of stations
8 (1 aerial,
7 underground)
southern terminus
Expo/Sepulveda
ucla connection
Station under campus
maintenance and
storage facility
West of Woodman/South
of Metrolink VC Line
stations > Metro E Line/
Sepulveda
*
> Santa Monica Bl
*
> Wilshire Bl
(Metro D Line)
*
> UCLA Gateway Plaza
*
> Ventura Bl
*
> Metro G Line
*
> Sherman Way
*
> Van Nuys
Metrolink Station**
mode
Driver-operated heavy rail
alignment
Underground
length (miles)
12.6 # of stations 7
southern terminus
Expo/Bundy
ucla connection
Station under campus
maintenance and
storage facility
West of Woodman/South
of Metrolink VC Line
stations > Metro E Line/Bundy > Santa Monica Bl > Wilshire Bl (Metro D Line)
> UCLA Gateway Plaza > Ventura Bl > Metro G Line > Van Nuys Metrolink Station
alternative 5
alternative 6
*
underground
**aerial
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
July 31st, 2024
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Beverly Hills City Hall
455 N. Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Dear Honorable Mayor Friedman and Members of the City Council:
The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce writes this letter in strong support for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor (STC) Project alternatives that include a direct, on-campus station at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a seamless connection to the Metro Purple (D) Line in Westwood Village. That is why the Beverly Hills Chamber has joined the Sepulveda Transit Corridor for All (STC4All) Coalition and supports the City of Beverly Hills doing the same.
Commuters to and from the San Fernando Valley and the Westside suffer immense and consistent congested freeways and arterial roads, and have limited public transportation options. The public transportation options they do have require multiple transfers, pushing them to use their personal vehicles, if they have one. Such high usage of personal vehicles and limited public transportation options negatively affect our quality of life, through increased stress, pollution, and less time doing more valuable activities. It is also harmful to our regional economy since it takes more time for workers to get to their places of employment, customers to get to our shops, and students to class, not to mention the immense amount of Green House Gas emission which negatively impact our health, natural environment and public infrastructure.
MTA’s ridership projections reveal that the options that will be most utilized include a direct stop at UCLA and a seamless connection to the Purple (D) Line. To get people out of their cars, while keeping them out of their cars, and put them into public transportation, it is imperative that MTA create options, with limited transfers, directly to the destinations that the vast majority of commuters are traveling to.
The appeal and effectiveness of public transportation is based on its seamlessness, affordability, speed, reliability, and accessibility. Therefore, building a seamless option that connects where the vast majority of riders and potential riders would be going to and from is the best option.
Sincerely,
Todd Johnson
President and CEO
Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce