Northridge Metrolink Station Relocation Study Made Available to the Public

Metro’s long-awaited Northridge Metrolink Station Relocation Study was made available to community members at the end of September.  The study was based on community input taken last spring at a community meeting, as well as through email and online comments.  The study takes no official position, rather it details the various costs, community concerns, and environmental factors that would be involved in either the upgrading of the current station, or in the moving of the current station to the corner of Reseda and Parthenia.

Both study alternatives aimed to identify potential opportunities to enhance transit connectivity throughout the community and region. Alternative 1: Station Relocation, relocates the existing Northridge Metrolink Station to the intersection of Reseda Boulevard, Parthenia Street, and the Ventura Line.  Alternative 2: Existing Station Enhancements, upgrades the existing Northridge Metrolink Station into a multi-modal transit station to encourage increased patronage, connectivity, and safety.

Comment cards collected at the community meeting preferred Alternative 2, with 58 percent of those attending the meeting preferring not to move the station, while 42 percent of those present were in favor of relocating the station. Comments collected via email and the online comment form on Metro’s website after the May 4th community meeting preferred Alternative 1, at a rate of 65 percent in favor of the relocation of the station, 35 percent opposing.  The aggregate percentage, combining in person and email and online responses, was 62 percent in favor of relocation, while 38 percent preferred to leave the station where it was. The change in the response percentage was determined by the greater amount of email and online comment to that of in person response.

The concerns related to Alternative 1 included the potential for added congestion at the

intersection of Parthenia Street and Reseda Boulevard because of the proximity of the relocation alternative. Comments in support of the relocation of the Northridge Metrolink station favored its closer proximity to CSUN, its adjacent location to more local businesses, bike lanes, and Metro buses, and enhanced access to the station due to higher visibility.

Rough order-of-magnitude (ROM) capital cost estimates were developed for Alternative 1 for feasibility purposes.  With the goal of portraying the highest level of development

for a station of this scale, the total estimated ROM capital cost is approximately $145 million. This includes a grade separated pedestrian crossing, a transit drop-off area, demolition clearing and earthwork, right-of way costs, and contingencies. The Northridge Lumber Company, the current owner property on the northeast corner of Parthenia and Reseda, indicated that they would be open to discussing the station relocation alternative given the right circumstances, timing, and price.

Costs for Alternative 2, improvements at the current station, were estimated to be $26 million. This includes an upgraded station platform and passenger amenities, a pedestrian tunnel to create northern access to the station, an expanded transit turnaround and layover facility, a new bike hub, and contingencies.

Please check further issues of the Community Connection for any further developments on this subject.