A coalition formed to bring light rail projects to the San Fernando Valley has added a significant number of members, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association announced this week.

Joining the Valley on Track coalition formed by VICA are L.A. City Councilmembers Mitch Englander, Tom LaBonge and Nury Martinez; Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, D-Woodland Hills; Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles; and Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, D-Van Nuys. Institutional members joining were the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce.

L.A. City Councilman Bob Blumenfield and Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra, D-Pacoima, were the only listed supporters when VICA first announced the coalition in June.

“The high speed and ridership potential of light rail, and low cost compared to heavy rail, makes it the best option for the desperately traffic-burdened Valley,” said VICA Chairman Coby King, in a statement.

The group is lobbying for three light rail projects in the Valley: converting the Orange Line busway into a railway and developing two wholly new routes – an East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor north-south from Sylmar to Van Nuys and a Sepulveda Pass Corridor that would link the Valley to the Westside via a tunnel under the Santa Monica Mountains.