S.F. Valley light-rail construction begins, with eminent domain, biz relocation

Construction is gearing up in SF Valley. Its first-ever light rail line will mostly run in the center of Van Nuys Blvd.

Construction is gaining steam at the first-ever light-rail project in the San Fernando Valley and the sheer volume of work — street closures, parking spot removalsm bus stop relocations — may take residents and businesses in the dense East Valley by surprise, say neighborhood leaders.

LA Metro’s 9.2-mile East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project has begun construction work involving moving utility lines to make room for the light-rail system power grid.

Heavy utility work that includes cranes lowering massive, concrete utility duct banks underneath Van Nuys Boulevard will begin this fall and continue at least through 2025, Metro staff members explained in a virtual town hall meeting on Wednesday, July 24.

“This project is brand new to the San Fernando Valley,” said Raymond Acevedo, community relations officer during the webinar. His office distributed 23,000 fliers announcing the virtual meeting, and an in-person meeting on the project is set for Wednesday, July 31.

Mikayeel Khan, president of the Pacoima Neighborhood Council, said the council has held meetings with Metro and its construction partner, San Fernando Transit Constructors Joint Venture (SFTC JV) and 20 or so stakeholders. But he doesn’t think the average resident of Pacoima, population about 80,000, knows much about the project or the construction schedule.

“Most of the people are not involved. They don’t have that luxury to explore all those things,” said Khan on Friday, July 26. Many in the mostly Latino, working-class community are working two jobs and are busy making ends meet and raising children, he said.

“Construction will affect people’s lives and they might not be happy about it,” he added.

The project will be built in two phases over the next seven years.

The first phase of the $3.57-billion project would extend 6.7 miles between the G (Orange) Bus Rapid Transit Line in Van Nuys to the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and San Fernando Road in Pacoima.

A second phase would travel 2.5 miles alongside the Metrolink heavy rail line into San Fernando, from San Fernando Road at Van Nuys Boulevard to the Sylmar Metrolink Station.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2031, said Greg Gastelum, project manager.

The first phase involves building a light-rail down the median of Van Nuys Boulevard, starting at Oxnard and San Fernando roads.

The work will consist of a double track and includes 33 electric light-rail train cars, 11 center platform train stations and a 21-acre maintenance and train storage facility near Keswick Street, just west of San Fernando Boulevard, Metro staffers reported.

Ongoing construction involves relocating underground utilities, which will continue for several more years, said Nell Mardirosian, a Metro senior director.

Civil improvements such as widening roadways, relocating sidewalks, replacing curbs and gutters will begin in 2025. From 2028 through 2031, track will be laid and train stations will be built and connected to electricity and communication systems. Train testing is set to start in late 2031, said Mardirosian.

The project includes removing the entire median on Van Nuys Boulevard to make way for the light-rail track and stations, including the trees. The shade trees will be replaced on a ratio of 2:1, Metro reported.

Two large electrical duct vaults will be installed, one at Van Nuys Boulevard and Telfair Avenue. That will require the full closure of Telfair Avenue east of Van Nuys Boulevard. The existing bike path will be re-routed. This will all occur near the Los Angeles Mission College, Pacoima Campus.

Metro staffers said most of the work will be done at night to avoid interrupting classes at the college.

A second electrical vault will be installed under Van Nuys between Gault and Arminta streets during a 20-month to 24-month period later this year through 2025. Crews will work two shifts, one from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a night shift from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Metro staffers reported.

Meanwhile, Metro is busy buying property it needs to build the light-rail project.

Offers to buy eight properties have been accepted, said Darryl Root, real estate project manager. Metro is offering 20% above the appraised value of the property, he said.

On Thursday, the LA Metro board approved moving ahead with eminent domain on four properties. Under eminent domain, the government can forcibly buy properties against the will of owners if it is part of a project that advances the greater public good and is necessary for the project to go forward, Metro explained.

The four properties Metro is trying to acquire via eminent domain in court are all in Van Nuys. They were identified in the Metro staff report as 14546 Raymer St.; 14617 Keswick St.; 14626 Raymer St., and 14635-14645 Keswick St.

The land is needed for the maintenance/storage yard, Metro reported. Businesses being displaced will receive business relocation assistance, Metro reported.

“I know this is a last resort tool,” said Third District LA County Supervisor and Metro board member Lindsey Horvath, whose district includes the San Fernando Valley. Metro could not say if more eminent domain proceedings would occur during the project.

Some businesses who sold their properties to make way for the light rail project have had a difficult time relocating, said Nancy Hoffman Vanyek, president and CEO of the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, on Friday.

Some had to pay capital gains taxes and the local ULA “mansion tax” that places a 4% tax on all properties that sell for more than $5 million, and a 5.5% charge on sales above $10 million. And they’ve had to negotiate new mortgages, she added.

“A couple of businesses I talked to, that was an issue for them,” she said. Metro has relocated four businesses so far, Root said.

Businesses forced to move can get free services from marketing to long-term business planning and technology help, said Jessica Spearman of Metro. “We are helping small mom-and-pop businesses continue to thrive,” she said during the webinar.

Businesses impacted by the project can ask about Metro business assistance programs by contacting Angela Winston at WinstonA@metro.net or by calling 213-922-7669. Contact Bryan Miyamoto, program manager of the Business Interruption Fund, at bryan.miyamoto@pcrcrop.org.

Many in the region take buses to work and to the store and were concerned. Metro officials said bus stops may be changed or moved, and routes detoured, but not canceled during construction.

All intersections on Van Nuys Boulevard will remain open during construction. In some locations, parking spaces will be removed, Metro reported.

The in-person meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31 at the Mid Valley Family YMCA, 6901 Lenox Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91405.