$1.9B Light Rail Contract Signed for San Fernando Valley
Los Angeles, CA · August 17, 2026
Morning fog clears early today as local transit plans take center stage to start the workweek.
The Lead
Public transit in the San Fernando Valley took a major step forward following LA Metro's signing of a $1.9 billion construction contract for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail line. The joint venture team will construct a 6.7-mile at-grade transit corridor stretching along Van Nuys Boulevard, complete with 11 new stations, shaded passenger platforms, and a 26-acre maintenance facility. Designed to connect central Van Nuys directly with regional bus lines and the G Line rapid transit network, the project replaces heavily congested bus routes with faster, higher-capacity electric rail. Crews will begin utility relocations and preconstruction work immediately along the urban corridor. Full revenue service is targeted for the late 2020s, marking the first passenger rail line built in the Valley since the Metro Red Line extended to North Hollywood.
Local Pulse
Port of Los Angeles Receives Supply Chain Award Executive Director Gene Seroka accepted the USC Global Supply Chain Leadership Excellence Award during an industry summit in Long Beach.
Virtual Session Set for North Hollywood Transit Line Metro officials host an online community meeting tonight at 6 PM to share updates on the bus rapid transit project.
Historic Cinerama Dome Reopening Moves Ahead Sony Pictures finalized an agreement with property owners to reopen Hollywood’s iconic geodesic movie theater by 2028.
Today's Outlook
- High 88°F · Low 65°F — Fog
- Expect morning fog to clear quickly, giving way to a warm afternoon across town.
What's On Around Town
Los Angeles Pop-Up Market The Reef L.A. (1933 S Broadway), 10:00 AM Browse local artisan crafts and specialty goods in South Downtown.
The Black Crowes & Tedeschi Trucks Band Hollywood Bowl (2301 N Highland Ave), 6:00 PM Southern rock and blues legends perform under the night sky.
Magnus & Friends Residency Blue Note LA, 7:00 PM Catch intimate live jazz sets inside an iconic Hollywood room.
Claremont: Concerts in the Park Memorial Park (840 N Indian Hill Blvd), 7:00 PM Take a short drive for free live Latin dance music outdoors.
An Evening With Angelique Kidjo The GRAMMY Museum (800 W Olympic Blvd), 7:30 PM Enjoy an intimate conversation and live performance with a global icon.
Spotlight & Story
- Highland Park Bowl
- In 1927, 5621 York Boulevard opened as a Prohibition-era bowling alley where patrons acquired doctor prescriptions for "medicinal" booze downstairs. Today, restored vintage lanes, exposed bow-truss ceilings, and original 1920s pinsetters host modern bowlers and wood-fired pizza lovers.
Los Angeles Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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