The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) Board of Directors has voted to advance a modified version of Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners’ (STCP) proposed alternative for a high-capacity, fully underground rail line connecting the San Fernando Valley and the Westside.

Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners is a consortium consisting of Bechtel, Meridiam, and American Triple I (ATI), along with other members such as Mott MacDonald, TYLin, Systra, and RATP Dev. The chosen concept is Alternative 5. This alternative has been chosen as it performed best in the technical evaluation process and public review process, which included the circulation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report in 2025.

Underground Rail Selected for Sepulveda Pass

The chosen alternative is a fully underground high-capacity heavy rail line connecting the San Fernando Valley and the Westside of Los Angeles County. This alternative will pass through the Sepulveda Pass and will have stations at the Metro G Line, Ventura Boulevard, UCLA, and the Wilshire/Metro D Line. This alternative will provide a grade-separated north-south transportation corridor in one of the most congested areas in the region. Although the Board has voted for this alternative as the preferred concept for moving forward, the decisions regarding the cost and funding for the project have not yet been made.

Based on the analysis conducted by LA Metro, the modified Alternative 5 had the greatest balance of public benefit and value to taxpayers. The underground rail project is expected to transport over 100,000 daily riders, providing a quicker and more efficient mode of transportation along the heavily congested I-405 corridor. Proposed stations for the initial operating segments include the Metro G Line, Ventura Boulevard, UCLA, and the Wilshire/Metro D Line.

Six alternatives considered for Sepulveda Pass rail line

LA Metro evaluated six build alternatives (plus a No Project option) during the environmental review for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project:

Alternative 1: Aerial monorail along I‑405 with a bus connection to UCLA.

Alternative 2: Aerial monorail with an automated people mover to UCLA (eliminated in 2024).

Alternative 3: Monorail with a partial tunnel and an underground station at UCLA.

Alternative 4: Automated heavy rail, partially elevated in the San Fernando Valley.

Alternative 5: Automated heavy rail, fully tunneled.

Alternative 6: Driver-operated heavy rail.

After public and technical review, the Board approved a Modified Alternative 5 on January 22, 2026. The chosen plan combines Alternative 5’s fully underground heavy rail technology with a refined Valley alignment similar to Alternative 6, replacing earlier “mostly underground” DEIR designs and establishing the preferred concept moving forward.

Major rail projects advancing in Los Angeles County

Similar to Phase 2B2 of the Foothill Gold Line, which is advancing a 2.3‑mile extension from Pomona to Claremont with Parsons handling design and construction planning, the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project is now moving forward with a fully underground heavy rail alignment connecting the San Fernando Valley to the Westside. Both projects are part of Los Angeles County’s broader push to expand high-capacity transit, reduce congestion, and improve commuter mobility across some of the region’s most heavily traveled corridors. While Phase 2B2 is in the design and procurement phase with a targeted 2031 opening, the Sepulveda line has reached the Locally Preferred Alternative approval, setting the stage for detailed engineering and environmental work.

With the approval by the Board, LA Metro can continue the development process of the project along with the STCP team. The team comprises expertise from various rail projects around the world, including the Maryland Purple Line project, the Doha, Riyadh, and Paris metro projects, and the Elizabeth line project in London. The project is seen as a key mobility project for LA County, providing regional connectivity while supporting regional economic and environmental goals.

Project Factsheet: Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project

Overview

Location: Los Angeles County, California

Type: High-capacity, fully underground rail line

Expected Daily Ridership: 100,000+ riders

Purpose: Connect San Fernando Valley to the Westside, providing alternative to congested I-405 corridor

Selected Developer Consortium

Consortium Name: Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners (STCP)

Lead Partners:

Bechtel – California-founded engineering and construction company

Meridiam – Global investor, developer, and long-term asset manager

American Triple I (ATI) – Infrastructure investor, owner, developer, and manager

Additional Team Members:

Mott MacDonald

TYLin

Systra

RATP Dev (global transit system operator)

Project Details

Route: San Fernando Valley to Westside Los Angeles

Initial Operating Segment Stations:

Metro G Line

Ventura Boulevard

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Wilshire/Metro D Line

Selected Alternative: Modified version of STCP’s Alternative 5

Selection Process: One of five alternatives that underwent rigorous public and expert scrutiny, including Draft Environmental Impact Report public circulation

Project Benefits

Fast, reliable alternative to heavily congested I-405 corridor

Improved mobility across the region’s most traveled corridors

Enhanced connectivity between San Fernando Valley and West LA

Job creation

Regional economic development

Environmental benefits

Strong value for taxpayers

Next Steps

LA Metro will continue developing the project in partnership with the STCP team