Orange Line a Big Boost for Valley

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman said the new Metro Orange Line that opens on Saturday will spur economic growth and provide low-cost, efficient transportation in the San Fernando Valley.

Sleek new buses also will connect the Valley to the regional Los Angeles bus and rail rapid transit network.

œThe opening of the Orange Line is great news for the Valley, Sherman said. œIt will help workers and businesses. It will help college students and senior citizens. It will help protect the environment and grow the economy. It will help bikers and hikers. It will help people save money on high-priced gasoline. And it should reduce traffice a bit on the 101 Freeway.

New businesses and housing already are under construction along the 14-mile busway that whisks passengers on a 40-minute ride from Woodland Hills to North Hollywood. The busway also conveniently links existing shopping centers and commercial hubs, including Warner Center, Van Nuys Civic Center and North Hollywood.

Sherman secured more than $4.2 million in federal funds earmarked for Orange Line projects.

He won $1.9 million for bike paths along the route. The Orange Line includes a 14-mile bikeway, and bike lockers are located at every station along the route.

Another $1 million helped construct the Warner Center transit hub. The terminal serves riders on the Orange Line, the Ventura Boulevard Metro Rapid Bus, Ventura Countys Conejo Connection and other local and regional bus routes.

An additional $836,000 has been set aside to build an Orange Line extension and bus shelter at Pierce College. The new bus extension and campus gateway will improve transit access to the 18,000-student community college and the adjacent 7,000-student West Valley Occupational Center in Woodland Hills.

And $500,000 was earmarked for park-and-ride facilities along the route.