After a groundbreaking ceremony last week, construction is officially underway for a $668-million upgrade to the G Line busway in the San Fernando Valley.

“These are the most significant improvements Metro has made to this line in its nearly 20-year history,” said Janice Hahn, L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair. “This work will make the G Line faster and safer in the short-term and brings us a step closer to our ultimate goal of converting the line to light rail.” 

Aerial view of Van Nuys Station site looking northeastGary Leonard

The ceremony was held at the site of Van Nuys Station, which is temporarily closed for three years to enable the construction of a new elevated crossing spanning between Van Nuys Boulevard and Vesper Avenue. Other elements of the project will include a grade separation of the crossing at Sepulveda Boulevard, gated crossings at 13 intersections, and improved signaling at the busway's 22 other intersections.

Construction of the project is anticipated to be completed in 2027, in advance of the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Funding for the G Line upgrades comes from the Measure M and Prop C voter-approved sales taxes, as well as the gas tax approved under SB-1, the state’s gas tax and vehicle fee transportation funding program.

Aerial view of G Line right-of-way from Van Nuys Station site looking westGary Leonard

The construction team for the project is named Valley Transit Partners, which includes Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., Flatiron West, and Modern Railway Systems.   

When completed, the project is expected to cut 12 minutes of travel times for G Line buses, which currently take approximately 50 minutes to travel between Chatsworth and North Hollywood. As noted by remarks from Hahn, the upgrades are expected to facilitate a future conversion of the busway to light rail.

The grade separation of Van Nuys Station will have another benefit: facilitating a transfer to the East San Fernando Valley light rail line, which is scheduled to open in the median of Van Nuys Boulevard in 2031.

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