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BURBANK JUNCTION SPEED IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT: ANTELOPE VALLEY AND VENTURA COUNTY LINES

As part of the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) Program, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) is advancing the Burbank Junction Speed Improvement Project. To facilitate safe movement of trains, in either direction, on both tracks, the Project would replace the existing Brighton Siding, right-hand track, with a larger siding track. This would realign a small portion of existing main line track, to accommodate the new pedestrian crossing. The existing tracks would be reconfigured and lengthened allowing the junction to service trains more efficiently while providing  smaller headways between trains.

Although not included in the Burbank Junction Speed Improvements Project, Metrolink would be conducting improvements at the Burbank Airport South Station and the Burbank Downtown Station at the same time as the SCORE project. Both station projects will include improvements to the pedestrian crossings increasing safety and allowing two trains to stop at the same time to increase service.

PROJECT VIDEO

Work continues to progress on the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) Burbank Junction project in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Crews work diligently to enhance signal systems for a safer system.  Work on Burbank Junction continues to progress on time and within budget.

Project Map

Burbank Improvements map

Project Timeline

Burbank Project Timeline

CHECK OUT THE BENEFITS:

Safety-Call Out Icon Safer, more reliable service – this project, when combined with other SCORE Phase I projects, would enable more frequent service when demand and funding exist. In the future, passengers will go to a train station and wait no more than 30 minutes for the next train in either direction.

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Reducing commute time for passengers up to a minute and a half per train with increased speed and improved operation.

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Less idling time will reduce emissions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

The proposed Burbank Junction Speed Improvements (Project) is included in Phase 1 of the Metrolink SCORE project that will improve the train services by allowing more frequent and safer operations as well as increasing service speeds at the Burbank Junction. The Project will replace the existing Brighton Siding, right-hand track, with a larger siding track. This will realign a small portion of existing main line track, to accommodate the new pedestrian crossing. The existing tracks will be reconfigured and lengthened allowing the junction to service trains more efficiently while providing smaller headways between trains. Addition-ally, approximately 0.5 mile of existing track will be replaced and upgraded.

Although not included in the Burbank Junction Speed Improvements Project, Metrolink will be conducting additional improvements at the Burbank Airport – South Station and the Burbank Downtown Station at the same time as the SCORE project. Enhancements to both stations include improving the pedestrian crossings to increase safety and allow two trains to stop at each station at the same time to increase services.

The Project would generate jobs and business opportunities, provide environ-mental benefits, and increase the frequency and the reliability of Metrolink service. Los Angeles County would see reduced emission and lower traffic congestion on adjacent freeways, as Metrolink removes the equivalent of 1 lane of parallel freeway traffic during the peak hour in peak direction. The lane capacity equivalence is calculated with Metrolink conductor counts and Caltrans Annual Average Daily Traffic counts at peak load points within the corridor. 

In the future, passengers will go to a train station and wait no more than 30 minutes for the next train in both directions. Commute times for passengers would be reduced with the increased speed and fluid operations. The Project improvements and updates will allow Metrolink to provide passengers more reliable and safer service.

The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) was commissioned to produce a study assessing the impact of the construction investment of the SCORE program. The benefits from SCORE will make the region increasingly attractive for the millions projected to arrive for the 2028 Summer Olympics and create regional prosperity in the decades to come. When service demand and future funding exist, Los Angeles County residents can expect to see 45,700 new jobs and $9.801 billion in gross regional product by 2028. By 2050, there will be 704,900 new jobs and an collective total of $356 billion in economic activity. With the Burbank Downtown Station also being on the VCL line, Ventura County residents can expect to see 4,800 new jobs and $912 in gross domestic product by 2028. By 2050, there would be 77,600 new jobs and a collective total of $34 billion in economic activity.

Environmental review began in the winter of 2018 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2020. Design review began in the winter of 2019 and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2021. Construction is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2021 with completion expected in the winter of 2022.