Light rail map with 405 stops

IMAGE

1

We should establish a light rail (or bus) passage from Sherman Oaks to West Los Angeles using existing right of way inside the center median of the 405...similar to the Gold Line in Pasadena. I am attaching a map of my proposed solution and potential stops.

I travel the 405 North and Southbound several times a week in bumper to bumper traffic...and light rail in the 405 center median would seem to solve or substantially reduce the traffic flow between West LA and the Valley. It seems that continually expanding the number of 405 lanes through the Sepulveda Pass may only encourage more drivers to use it. This is the reverse of what we intend! Carmageddon was (and will be) only a yearly reminder of what happens when that sole corridor closes.

Living in Chatsworth, I take the Orange and Red lines frequently to downtown, the Staples Center and the Nokia theater, as well as Olivera Street. It works great. There may be higher priority Metro projects on the board....but in my mind, the 405/101 interchange and resulting morning flow into LA should be our highest priority.

Sherman Oaks Galleria (I think) has a vacant lot in back of it that can be used as a end-stop parking structure....and I am sure the Getty Center can find some space at the midway point. LAX surroundings has plenty of available room and shuttle buses. Santa Clarita can also benefit with a stop.

I have heard that a similar solution was proposed in 1991 from LAX to Palmdale and an EIR was completed and preliminary studies performed. Time to reinitiate this.

I hope Los Angeles considers a Metro Line project down the 405 median. It will really help reduce our long-term congestion problems in West LA and the SF Valley.

Thanks, David Goldstein (Chatsworth)