http://decisionpublications.com/nvcnews2

   North Valley residents tracking the possible extension of the Metro Orange Line to Chatsworth take note:  Metro now has a recommended way to get there.

    In mid-June, transportation authority staff released its Locally Preferred Alternative for the potential four-mile northern extension of the successful Metro Orange Line.

   The recommendation is a busway alternative on a Metro-owned former railroad right-of-way from the current busway terminus in Canoga Park to the Chatsworth Transportation Center at Devonshire Boulevard between Canoga and Owensmouth Avenues.

    By the time this column goes to print, the Metro Board of Directors will have voted on whether to accept or amend Metro’s Locally Preferred Alternative.  I will report on this decision in a later column. But as it stands now, using existing Metro property was selected by agency staff as the best, most cost-effective way to run bus service to Chatsworth.  The other corridors studied and abandoned included services on Canoga Avenue, De Soto Avenue, and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

    Turns out the busway alternative would be cheaper to build with less environmental impacts, safer and would provide quicker transit travel times.

   So how is the busway going to safely reach the station, which is already home to Amtrak and Metrolink train service, including a host of area bus lines?  The LPA includes a grade separation over Metrolink/Union Pacific tracks and Lassen Street that enables the busway to directly enter the station.  That’s how.

    Station stops recommended along the way include Sherman Way, Roscoe and Nordhoff. 

    The projected cost of this recommended alternative is $191 million in December 2007 dollars.  If the Metro Board approves the recommended alternative, the project would then move into its Final EIR and preliminary engineering phase.  Construction would take about 30 months to complete, assuming the project is approved and funded by the board.  Buses could be running on the alignment by 2016, or earlier if funding is made available sooner.

    Get more project details at www.metro.net/canoga.