LA Metro Begins Safety Work for New Light Rail Line
Metro begins K-Rail barrier installation on Van Nuys Boulevard for $3.57B light rail project
Metro Starts K-Rail Work on Van Nuys Boulevard
Metro's starting K-Rail installation work along Van Nuys Boulevard for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project, transit officials said. The construction begins November 11 at Van Nuys Boulevard and Vanowen Street, with additional locations following in the coming weeks. Metro classified the work as high severity, meaning riders should expect significant traffic impacts during installation.
Safety Barriers Support $3.57 Billion Project
The K-Rail barriers are temporary concrete safety barriers that'll separate construction zones from traffic as work progresses on the 6.7-mile light rail line, according to Metro. The project will connect the Van Nuys Orange Line Station to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station with 14 stations when it's completed in 2035. Measure M, approved by Los Angeles County voters in November 2016, provides funding for the $3.57 billion project. Metro hasn't disclosed the specific cost for this K-Rail installation phase.
Three Locations Getting Barriers Over Three Weeks
Installation work begins at Van Nuys Boulevard and Vanowen Street on November 11, followed by Van Nuys Boulevard and Victory Boulevard on November 18, transit officials said. The third location, Van Nuys Boulevard and Oxnard Street, gets K-Rail barriers starting December 2. Each installation will require lane closures and traffic adjustments, though Metro didn't specify exactly how many barrier segments will be installed at each intersection. Officials said the barriers will remain in place throughout the construction period to protect workers and the public.
Work Continues Through December
The K-Rail installation work will span three weeks from mid-November through early December, with each location requiring several days of high-severity construction activity. Metro announced the schedule on November 5, giving residents advance notice to plan alternate routes. Officials didn't provide specific completion dates for each location's installation work.
Riders Should Expect Traffic Changes
Commuters using Van Nuys Boulevard should expect lane closures and traffic delays at the three intersections during installation periods. Metro's classified the work as high severity, indicating substantial impacts to normal traffic flow. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on Metro routes affected by the construction work.
