Click to view slideshow.
The new platform is funded — with $3.7 million from Metro — but the environmental study must be completed before construction can begin. The platform is expected to be in service in 2015 and means that both Metrolink lines that serve the San Fernando Valley — the Ventura County and Antelope Valley lines — will offer stops serving the airport.
Here’s the news release from Metrolink:
Metrolink, Metro and the Bob Hope Airport hold groundbreaking event for the
Bob Hope Airport-Hollywood Way Metrolink Station
LOS ANGELES – Today, Metrolink, Metro and the Bob Hope Airport held a groundbreaking event for the Bob Hope Airport-Hollywood Way Metrolink Station. Located at San Fernando Boulevard and Hollywood Way, the station will supplement and expand “plane-to-train” connectivity.
This project will complement the existing Burbank-Bob Hope Airport Metrolink Station on the Ventura County Line and the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC) being constructed by the airport to accommodate a bus transfer facility and rental car facilities. The new Bob Hope Airport-Hollywood Way Metrolink Station and the Antelope Valley Line Infrastructure Improvement Strategy will also improve rail connectivity with the airport.
“With this new Bob Hope Airport Metrolink station, residents of the Santa Clarita, Antelope and North San Fernando Valleys will have safe, convenient and economical Metrolink rail service to the national air travel and local employment opportunities available at and around this regional airport,” said Metro Chair Michael D. Antonovich. Connecting our airports to our rail system is a top priority for the region and will increase mobility and provide faster, more seamless transit options for residents throughout Southern California.”
Metro has been coordinating with the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority during the development of both the RITC and the new Bob Hope Airport-Hollywood Way Metrolink Station. Metro has allocated $3.7 million of Measure R funds towards development of this station. Antonovich made the motion for the Metro Board to provide the funds.
While the existing Burbank-Bob Hope Airport Metrolink Station services both the agency’s Ventura County Line and Amtrak passengers, the new station will cater to Antelope Valley Line riders.
“We have worked very hard to expand the connectivity of Metrolink and the agency’s partnership with other transportation agencies, certainly including the Bob Hope Airport and Metro,” said Metrolink chairman and San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris. “When you look at Metrolink’s system, our lines essentially run parallel with every major thoroughfare in the region. This dynamic allows people to complete a trip to the airport without leaving their car at the terminal. It’s an outstanding opportunity.”
The Bob Hope Airport also provides free SuperShuttle service to the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station and to Metro’s North Hollywood Station, which allows connections to the Metro Red Line and Metro Orange Line.
“Metrolink connectivity with the airport is a key element of our vision for the airport as a partner in regional transportation. It’s great to see plane to train becoming a reality at Bob Hope Airport,” said airport Executive Director Dan Feger.
The new Bob Hope Airport-Hollywood Way Metrolink Station will be located only one mile from the airport terminals. Once this station is operational, in early 2015, the airport authority plans to operate a free shuttle bus service linking the terminal to this station.
ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)
Metrolink is Southern California’s regional commuter rail service in its 20th year of operation. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county, 512 route-mile network. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the seventh largest based on annual ridership.
Video of the event after the jump!