[KHTS] – Metrolink will soon add an additional stop on the Antelope Valley Line connecting the Santa Clarita Valley to the Burbank Airport.

The Antelope Valley Line runs from Lancaster to Los Angeles, and stops in downtown Burbank.

Currently the fastest route to the Bob Hope Airport for Metrolink riders is to get off at the downtown Burbank exit and backtrack to the airport, nearly four miles northwest of the Metro stop.

“It will provide a more direct connection to the airport for people coming from Santa Clarita,” said Adrian Aguilar, transit manager for Santa Clarita. “It will make it easy to jump on the train and get off right there at the station, that’s a big positive.”

The new stop will be located on San Fernando Road, about a mile or two away from the airport, with shuttles taking riders to their final destination, Aguilar said.

The new stop is expected to be completed in early 2015, with construction beginning in the next few months, said Marsha McLean Santa Clarita mayor pro tem.

An increased number of trains traveling from the Antelope Valley to Burbank is also expected, but exact numbers and costs are not currently know, McLean said.

Metrolink will conduct surveys to determine ridership, costs and number of trains needed, McLean said.

“We want to make sure we’re loud and clear about our needs,” McLean said. “Two years ago I instigated what we call the Santa Clarita Valley Transportation Coalition, so we can go to Metro as a block and have them hear our needs.”

The Coalition is made up of educators, businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and residents, among others.