May 15: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

2001:  The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority releases a draft environmental study of its proposed 14-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) busway, later named the Metro Orange Line Rapidway.

SFV east-west busway rendering

The $285 million busway will speed the travel of thousands of commuters between the Warner Center Transit Hub in the west San Fernando Valley and the Metro Red Line subway station in North Hollywood.

The corridor would be fully landscaped with groundcover, trees and other plantings, including over 4,000 new trees, and include room for a cross-valley bikeway.

More information from the release of the San Fernando Valley east-west busway draft environmental impact report can be found in the May 15, 2001 MyMetro employee news digest.