SHERMAN OAKS—Metro is exploring new methods to improve travel on the 405 freeway between the San Fernando Valley, the Westside and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). According to the Metro, more than 400,000 people travel the region every day.

Metro has been studying alternative methods of travel through the Sepulveda Pass for the past two years. This week they proposed four options for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project that includes three options for a high-speed rail line that operates underground and aerially along with a monorail train line that would only operate underground.

The proposed rail line connecting Van Nuys to the Expo Line that connects to Santa Monica and extending to LAX is now projected to cost between $9.4 to $13.8 billion. This is over budget as $5 billion was funded by Measure M which was approved by voters before the study went into effect.

The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association is not happy with aspects of the project. They do not support the elevated high-speed trains that they believe will make Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys noisy, with little parking, and congested. They only support the monorail option which is more affordable, but slower and not as environmentally sustainable.  

According to a Facebook post, the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association is convening for a public meeting next week to explain the details of the project and urge attendees to tell the metro that “elevated trains above Sepulveda are unacceptable.” The group is meeting on Monday, July 29 at 7 p.m. at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Senior Center Auditorium. 

The next Metro Public meeting in the Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks area is Saturday, August 3 at 1 a.m. at Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center.