2008 Woodie Awards
Orange Line is Ripening
Public transportation upgrades and art project will soon make communiting easier and even inspirational.
Susan Maltby
Issue date: 4/6/05 Section: News
Construction of the $330 million Metro Orange Line is causing temporary traffic snarls at many major intersections throughout the San Fernando Valley, but the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority's ambitious and artistic project is slated for completion later this year.
"We're shooting for the first part of September," said MTA spokesman Rick Jager. "We hope to have our grand opening on Labor Day."
Jager says that, once completed, the 14-mile buses-only route between North Hollywood and Warner Center will be worth the wait and construction hassles. New, high-tech 60-foot compressed natural gas Metro Liner buses will take patrons across the valley in approximately 40 minutes and provide a convenient connection to the Metro Rail Systems in Woodland Hills and the Red Line's North Hollywood Station.
"It will improve the overall flow of traffic and provide a great way to get across the valley instead of the 101," said Jager. "The new buses will be 60 feet long. Normal buses are 40-feet long so this will be something new for riders to experience."
The Orange Line will include 13 stations at approximately one-mile intervals and local artists will transform the transitway into a work of art. A public art exhibit at Pierce College running through April 21 showcases designs for the project submitted by California artists including head artist Renee Petropoulos, landscape artist Jud Fine, Sandow Birk, Laura London, Daniel Marlos, Roxene Rockwell and others.
"The Metro Art Program gives [artists] an opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the public space while creating a unique sense of place for our future transitway patrons," said Maya Emsden, Deputy Executive Officer of Creative Services, in a recent Metro press release. Gallery hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
Six designated landscape art areas are also planned along the transitway route, which will also feature 12 miles of pedestrian and bike paths, more than 800,000 new plants and shrubs and 5,000 new trees. The project will provide approximately 3,300 parking spaces, available at key stations throughout the cities of North Hollywood, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, Reseda, Winnetka, Canoga Park and Woodland Hills.
Although Valley and Pierce colleges are the main educational institutions on the route, it will also improve access and commutes for CSUN students.
Valley President Tyree Wieder is excited about the upcoming transit option for students.
"After it opens this summer, students will be able to take a class at Valley in the morning and hop on the Orange Line to take a class at Pierce in the afternoon or vice versa," said Wieder. "Birmingham high school is also on the new route and students there will benefit as well."
 Media Credit: Metro Orange Line Route Map Metro Orange Line Route Map |
"We're shooting for the first part of September," said MTA spokesman Rick Jager. "We hope to have our grand opening on Labor Day."
Jager says that, once completed, the 14-mile buses-only route between North Hollywood and Warner Center will be worth the wait and construction hassles. New, high-tech 60-foot compressed natural gas Metro Liner buses will take patrons across the valley in approximately 40 minutes and provide a convenient connection to the Metro Rail Systems in Woodland Hills and the Red Line's North Hollywood Station.
"It will improve the overall flow of traffic and provide a great way to get across the valley instead of the 101," said Jager. "The new buses will be 60 feet long. Normal buses are 40-feet long so this will be something new for riders to experience."
The Orange Line will include 13 stations at approximately one-mile intervals and local artists will transform the transitway into a work of art. A public art exhibit at Pierce College running through April 21 showcases designs for the project submitted by California artists including head artist Renee Petropoulos, landscape artist Jud Fine, Sandow Birk, Laura London, Daniel Marlos, Roxene Rockwell and others.
 Media Credit: Dan Villasenor TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS - The construction for the Orange Line is underway and will be finished by early September. |
"The Metro Art Program gives [artists] an opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the public space while creating a unique sense of place for our future transitway patrons," said Maya Emsden, Deputy Executive Officer of Creative Services, in a recent Metro press release. Gallery hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
Six designated landscape art areas are also planned along the transitway route, which will also feature 12 miles of pedestrian and bike paths, more than 800,000 new plants and shrubs and 5,000 new trees. The project will provide approximately 3,300 parking spaces, available at key stations throughout the cities of North Hollywood, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, Reseda, Winnetka, Canoga Park and Woodland Hills.
Although Valley and Pierce colleges are the main educational institutions on the route, it will also improve access and commutes for CSUN students.
Valley President Tyree Wieder is excited about the upcoming transit option for students.
"After it opens this summer, students will be able to take a class at Valley in the morning and hop on the Orange Line to take a class at Pierce in the afternoon or vice versa," said Wieder. "Birmingham high school is also on the new route and students there will benefit as well."
