Overview
Metro has plans to connect more of the South Bay by extending light rail from the Redondo Beach (Marine) Station to the new Torrance Transit Center and connect light rail to two new bus transit centers in Redondo Beach and Torrance. Based on recent Metro Board action, this project will operate as part of the Metro K Line and provide a one-seat ride from Torrance to LAX, Inglewood, and the Metro E Line. The extension will provide an alternative to congestion along the busy I-405 corridor and expand access to the region by connecting to the Metro Rail C (Green) and E (Expo) Lines. The Project would attract between 11,500-15,600 daily trips, help address congestion, energy, and climate change goals by reducing car trips (49,500 vehicle miles traveled per day) and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (over 2,360 MTCO2e per year) in 2042.
Learn more about the three alignments being studied by viewing the project simulation video. The video will guide you through the conceptual designs of each alignment.
Status
Metro prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for public review from January 26 to March 27, 2023 per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). During the DEIR review period, Metro held five public hearings to solicit input from the community. The information presented at the public hearings and the recording from the virtual public hearing can be accessed in the documents section below.
The DEIR evaluated three alignments: Metro ROW Elevated/At-Grade Alignment (Proposed Project), Trench Option, and Hawthorne Option, and considers three Alternatives to the Project to reduce environmental impacts generated by the Project: 170th/182nd Grade Separated Light Rail Alternative, High Frequency Bus Alternative, and No Project Alternative. The term Proposed Project does not convey any preference or recommendation as to the three rail alignments under study. Metro staff will prepare a recommendation on its preferred alignment in Fall 2023 based on findings from the DEIR, public comments made during the comment period, technical analysis, stakeholder input, and other factors such as cost, ridership, and project objectives. A summary of the alignments and alternatives studied is here. To learn more about the Project and alignments under study, visit the project Storymap.
Next Steps:
The Metro Board of Directors is anticipated to meet in October of 2023 to vote for a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) during a public Board meeting, where the public is invited to share comments. Metro will share a summary of comments from the DEIR and other public engagement events with the Metro Board as part of the project findings to help inform their selection of an LPA. All comments received during the DEIR public comment period will be formally responded to in the Final EIR (anticipated 2024). Comments received after the DEIR comment period will be shared with the Metro Board to help inform the project.
After an LPA is selected by the Metro Board, Metro will begin to prepare the Final EIR, advance design for the selected alignment, and develop a more detailed
construction schedule. The Final EIR will refine the project, respond to comments received during the DEIR public review period, and include a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) to address any project impacts identified in the environmental document.