SHERMAN OAKS—Officials from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority have proposed installing a rail line that would connect Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. The new rail line will alleviate traffic jams for commuters of the Sepulveda Pass which has over 400,000 drivers each day.

Officials have not yet decided whether the proposed line should be an above ground train or an underground system. Other options include making it a monorail or a light rail.

The LCMTA released six proposals for the transportation project on Thursday, June 7. Each concept utilizes a mixture of above ground and underground train systems to circumvent traffic from the 405 and connect other Metro lines as they snake through the canyon. All of the concepts have the proposed train connecting the existing Orange Line in the Valley to a proposed Purple Line to the south. And run along Sepulveda or Van Nuys.

“The only way to alleviate traffic is by getting people out of their cars,” said Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. “Construction might be inconvenient, but not having customers or employees to come because of traffic is more inconvenient.”

The first phase of construction is set to be the stretch between West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Officials estimate completion by 2033, but Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is pushing for earlier completion by 2028. The second phase of the project would bring the rail line further south to LAX. Completion for that project is expected to be done by 2057.

A community meeting to discuss the topic is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Proud Bird Restaurant, located at 11022 Aviation Blvd. in Los Angeles.