Southeast Gateway Line

Connecting communities between Artesia and Downtown LA with new light rail to expand access to opportunities

Pedestrians crossing the street with light rail vehicle passing through intersection.

Project Type

Better Transit

Current Phase

Design & Engineering

Estimated Project Completion

2035

A new light rail line will connect the A Line at Slauson Station to Artesia, bringing 14.5-miles of Metro Rail service to the heart of Southeast LA County for the first time. This project will serve 11 communities, including Cerritos, Bellflower, South Gate and Vernon—home to over 1.4 million residents and more than 600,000 jobs.

The project will feature:

Nine new light rail stations
One new C Line infill station at I-105
Up to five parking facilities
A maintenance and storage facility in Bellflower
30 at-grade and 15 elevated crossings

In 2024, the project received CEQA certification and a Record of Decision, enabling Metro to seek federal funding. Metro also secured $231 million through California’s TIRCP program. A separate study is currently looking at extending the line north from Slauson to Union Station.

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Learn More about the Southeast Gateway Line

Active Construction Notices

Learn more about upcoming construction fieldwork, including advance utility adjustment work.

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Understand the Details

Tour the interactive map to explore potential routes, station areas and how Southeast LA communities will connect to the Metro Rail system.

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Connect with Metro

Stay informed by attending an upcoming community meeting, either virtually or in-person.

Project News

Project Documents

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Frequently Asked Questions

What communities will the line serve?

The new light rail line will serve a dense and diverse area of Southeast Los Angeles County. Communities along the proposed route include Artesia, Cerritos, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, South Gate, Cudahy, Bell, Huntington Park, Vernon and the unincorporated community of Florence-Firestone.

Metro is also looking at an extension that would connect the line to Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles.

How many stations will there be?

The approved segment from Slauson Station on the A Line to the proposed Pioneer Station in Artesia will include nine new light rail stations, along with an infill station at the I-105 Freeway on the existing C Line.

Proposed station areas (subject to change in future design phases) include:

– Slauson/A Line

– Bellflower Bl

– Paramount/Rosecrans

– Downey/Somerset

– Pioneer Station (Artesia)

What does EIR and EIS stand for?

An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), while an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Together, these documents:

– Outline potential environmental impacts

– Identify mitigation strategies

– Invite public and agency input

– Recommend a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)

This process helps ensure that major infrastructure projects are carried out with transparency and community participation.

What are civil improvements?

Civil improvements are street and road features that help integrate light rail into the surrounding environment—ensuring safe operations, convenient access for riders and community compatibility.

These include:

– Trackway and signal installation

– Roadway widening

– Temporary and permanent bus stop relocations

– Curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement

– Adjustments to benches, streetlights, meters and signage

– Final paving and restoration

What is the current state of the project?

The environmental review process has been completed. In April 2024, the Metro Board certified the EIR/EIS. In August 2024, the Federal Transit Administration issued a Record of Decision, making the project eligible for federal funding. Additionally, Metro secured $231 million in early-stage state funding through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) in October 2024. The project is now advancing into the design phase.

Southeast Gateway Line

Learn More about the Southeast Gateway Line

Active Construction Notices

Understand the Details

Connect with Metro

Project News

Project Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Stay In Touch