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Sherman Meets with Metro CEO, Reiterates Importance of Tunnel Through the Sepulveda Pass

March 15, 2016

“The Valley should not be shortchanged”

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Metro CEO

Metro CEO Phillip Washington meets with Congressman Brad Sherman

Sherman Oaks – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) met with Metro CEO Phillip Washington in his Washington, DC office to discuss Metro priorities and plans to build a subway tunnel through the Sepulveda Pass.

“No project is more critical to the long-term transit needs of the San Fernando Valley than a subway tunnel through the Sepulveda Pass,” said Congressman Sherman. “My concern is that the Valley may be overlooked once more. We can’t have a repeat of what I heard 10 years ago: That we’re going to build this tunnel, just as soon as the private investors give us the money. The project should not be contingent on private investment.

“Linking the Valley to the Purple Line in West Los Angeles, with the goal of a future connection to LAX, provides the best opportunity to decrease traffic on the 101 and 405 freeways. We also need to improve the Orange Line, first with grade separations, then with conversion to light rail.

“If the San Fernando Valley was its own city, it would be the fifth largest in the United States and the only major city without a rail system – we should not be shortchanged.

“Metro’s plan for extending the existing ‘temporary’ sales tax and increasing the sales tax rate by 0.5% to 9.5%, will be published at 4pm this Friday. I’m sure it will contain a Sepulveda Pass Tunnel with a subway and underground freeway lanes. The real issue is whether it guarantees the funds to build the tunnel sometime soon.”

Last week Congressman Sherman wrote a letter to Metro CEO Washington urging prioritization of the tunnel. Sherman has been advocating for this project for many years.

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