L.A. Metro Board approves route, study of North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT

May 2, 2022

While the project is expected to improve travel times up to 40 percent, its operation on local streets has some concerned about impacts to neighborhoods.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

A rendering illustrating the Broadway - Colorado intersection in Glendale with the BRT constructed.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) Board of Directors approved the route and final study of the 19-mile North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor Project.

L.A. Metro says the BRT project represents “one of the missing links” of the transit system and explains the board’s approval of the route and study at the April 28 meeting is “a big step toward getting the project built.” The project has $317 million in funding through Measure M and State Bill 1.

On April 29, the L.A. Metro Board approved the route and study of the North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Corridor project.

The North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT Corridor will travel in neighborhoods, which the authority says will reduce travel times 30 to 40 percent and make them easier to reach. However, this project brings new challenges to the table because the planned BRT route travels mostly on local streets, which is a unique feature to the North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT Corridor.

Two segments of the route have brought the most debate, including a 1.3-mile section of Olive Avenue in Burbank where the road would be reconfigured and the number of general traffic lanes reduced from two to one. L.A. Metro says all 299 parking spaces on Olive will be preserved, as would sidewalks, and traffic studies indicate some traffic would move to other major streets with “very few cars” diverting to neighborhood streets “because those streets don’t save time.”

A before and after rendering of the intersection of Vineland Ave. and Lankershim Blvd. pre and post BRT construction in North Hollywood.

The second debated section is located on Colorado Boulevard between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Linda Rosa Avenue where general traffic lanes would be reduced from two to one with bus lanes in the center of the road. While the existing 763 parking spaces on side streets would be preserved, the parking spaces on Colorado Boulevard would be reduced to 198 from 319. L.A. Metro says traffic analysis indicates congestion would occur at both ends of the segment where two lanes merged into one, but about 20 percent of traffic on Colorado would divert, which would result in a reduction of the overall number of vehicles on the street.

L.A. Metro says it “will continue to work with stakeholders and cities to address issues raised.”

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.