C Line Extension
{{Short description|Light rail extension project in Los Angeles County, California}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = {{LACMTA link logo}} C Line Extension to Torrance {{LACMTA icon|K}}
| logo =
| logo_width =
| color = {{rcr|Los Angeles Metro Rail|K}}
| image = LA Metro C Line Redondo Beach station stub tracks, November 2023.jpg
| locale = Redondo Beach
Lawndale
Torrance
| start = {{stn|Redondo Beach}} (current)
| end = Torrance Transit Center (future)
| caption = Stub tracks at the southern end of Redondo Beach station
| character =
| type = Light rail
| system = Los Angeles Metro Rail
| status = Proposed
| planopen = 2030–2033 (expected)
| gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| electrification = {{750 V DC|conductor=overhead}}
| operator = Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
| map = {{C Line Extension|inline=yes}}
| map_state = collapsed
| website = [https://www.metro.net/projects/green-line-extension/ metro.net]
}}
The C Line Extension to Torrance (formerly the Green Line Extension to Torrance) is a project by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to extend the K Line from its terminus in Redondo Beach to Torrance. It is expected to open for service between 2030 and 2033. The project was known as the South Bay Metro Light Rail Extension in planning.
Despite its name, the project will be an extension of the K Line. The project was initially planned as an extension of the C Line, although service changes on November 3, 2024 redirected the C Line to Aviation/Century station and the K Line took over the C Line's west segment from Aviation/Century station to Redondo Beach station. The official name of the project has not changed after the service changes.{{cite web |title=Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting |url=https://metro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6256772&GUID=796A05B2-2510-4BAF-B692-2B635C82FB85 |website=Metro |access-date=23 June 2023}}
Overview
Metro is currently working on the initial environmental study of a corridor extension of the K Line from its Redondo Beach terminus toward the southeast. The extension would roughly follow the Harbor Subdivision right of way into the South Bay, to the proposed Torrance Regional Transit Center (RTC).{{cite news | url=http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/landofsunshine/block-by-block/exploring-the-south-bay-metro-green-line-extension.html | title=Exploring The South Bay Metro Green Line Extension | access-date=2013-11-18 | author=Brightwell, Eric | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121025059/http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/landofsunshine/block-by-block/exploring-the-south-bay-metro-green-line-extension.html | archive-date=November 21, 2013 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all | work=KCET | date=2013-10-13}}
A study of the South Bay Extension was necessary to initiate the publication of a draft environmental impact report (DEIR). The study was expected to be completed in 2011, but the project was placed on hold in the Spring of 2012 due to uncertain funding.{{cn|date=August 2020}} With the passage of Measure M in 2016, $619 million was earmarked for the Green Line Extension south and the study resumed. The environmental impact report was scheduled to be released in March 2022,{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Nick |title=Metro rail line extension to Torrance tracking closer to possible 2028 opening |url=https://www.dailybreeze.com/2021/02/15/metro-rail-line-extension-to-torrance-tracking-closer-to-possible-2028-opening/ |access-date=15 February 2021 |agency=Daily Breeze |date=15 February 2021}} but was ultimately pushed back to fall/winter 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.metro.net/projects/green-line-extension/ | title=C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance }} Preparing the report led the agency to study further alternatives for grade separations along the two routes.{{cite news |last1=Sharp |first1=Steven |title=Metro rolls out new options for C Line extension to Torrance |url=https://la.urbanize.city/post/metro-rolls-out-new-options-c-line-extension-torrance |access-date=12 August 2022 |work=Urbanize Los Angeles |date=9 August 2022}} The draft environmental impact report was eventually released in January 2023.{{cite news |last1=Sharp |first1=Steven |title=Draft EIR released for C Line extension to Torrance |url=https://la.urbanize.city/post/draft-eir-released-c-line-extension-torrance |access-date=30 January 2023 |agency=Urbanize |date=30 January 2023}}
Route selection
Four potential routes for the extension starting at Redondo Beach station were initially considered. The station in Lawndale was eliminated due to community opposition.
Metro authorized two of four alternatives to move forward: Alternative #1 and Alternative #3. Metro staff recommended the two alternatives for the draft environmental impact statement (DEIR) status for further analysis and refinement in September 2018. The study area includes the former Harbor Subdivision right of way. The extension study consists of the Redondo Beach station to the Torrance Transit Center, a {{convert|4.5|mi|adj=mid}} extension study area.{{Cite web | url=https://boardagendas.metro.net/board-report/2018-0317/ | title=Project 2018-0317}} Metro began composing the DEIR in January 2021{{cite news |last1=Hymon |first1=Seth |title=Work begins on Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance |url=https://thesource.metro.net/2021/01/29/work-begins-on-draft-environmental-impact-report-deir-for-c-line-green-extension-to-torrance/ |access-date=30 January 2021 |agency=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |publisher=The Source |date=29 January 2021}} and released it in January 2023. Both alternatives shared the same alignment south of 190th Street.{{cite web |title=C Line Extension to Torrance (7 Minute) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxcjWnfS-eQ |website=YouTube | date=April 17, 2024 |publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=May 23, 2024}}
The first alternative was expanded into two options, differing in whether the alignment is mainly built above grade over the existing ROW or in an open-air trench under the current ROW (with the freight ROW being rebuilt afterward). The route and stations were identical between the two options. Elements from the two options were then blended into a third "Hybrid Alternative" based on community input, which used the elevated/street level option from Redondo Beach station to 165th Street, where the alternative switched to the trench option all the way south to the Torrance Transit Center. The Hybrid Alternative also added two under-crossings at 170th Street and 182nd Street.
| class="wikitable" |
| DEIR Alternative
! Description ! Ridership ! Estimated cost |
|---|
| Alternative 1: ROW Alignment
| A Light rail transit (LRT) line heading south from the Redondo Beach station on the ROW of Harbor Subdivision. A stop at the Redondo Beach Transit Center adjacent to Pacific Crest Cemetery between Grant Ave and 182nd St. On 190th St., it continues southeast along the ROW with a terminus at the Torrance Transit Center. A 7-minute ride. | align="right" | 10,340 | align="right" |$0.893 |
| Alternative 3: Hawthorne Alignment
| A LRT line heading southeast from Redondo Beach station parallel to I-405, which then heads south on Hawthorne Boulevard. Two new stations, a South Bay Galleria mall station and a station at Torrance Transit Center in Torrance along the Harbor Subdivision ROW at 465 Crenshaw Blvd. A 9-minute ride. | align="right" | 10,640 | align="right" |$1 to 1.2 |
The following table shows all potential Metro stations and the alternatives for which they apply:
| class="wikitable" |
| Station Options
! Alt 1 ! Alt 3 ! Connecting Rail/Bus Service ! Community |
|---|
| Redondo Beach station (already built)
| style="background: #cccccc; text-align:center;" | {{tick|20}} | style="background: #cccccc; text-align:center;" | {{tick|20}} | |Redondo Beach |
| Redondo Beach Transit Center station
| style="background: #bbffbb; text-align:center;" | {{tick|20}} | style="background: #ffbbbb; text-align:center;" | – |Redondo Beach |
| South Bay Galleria station
| style="background: #ffbbbb; text-align:center;" | – | style="background: #bbffbb; text-align:center;" | {{tick|20}} | |Redondo Beach |
| Torrance Transit Center station
| style="background: #bbffbb; text-align:center;" | {{tick|20}} | style="background: #bbffbb; text-align:center;" | {{tick|20}} |Torrance |
On April 17, 2024, Metro staff recommended the Hybrid Alternative as their preferred LPA to Metro's board of directors.{{cite web |title=Metro - File #: 2023-0532 |url=https://metro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6636132&GUID=FDE8AB04-8DA6-469D-975C-A1D659670D97&Options=&Search= |website=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=May 23, 2024}} On May 23, 2024, the board of directors approved the Hybrid Alternative as the LPA at a board meeting,{{cite news |last1=Sharp |first1=Steven |title=Metro moves forward with Eastside and South Bay rail extensions Neither project is expected to open for passengers |url=https://la.urbanize.city/post/metro-moves-forward-eastside-and-south-bay-rail-extensions |access-date=May 25, 2024 |work=Urbanize LA |publisher=Urbanize Media LLC |date=May 24, 2024}} however, with the added caveats of further studying and refining the cost estimates of both alternatives, as well as the development of a refined funding plan for the project.{{Cite tweet |user=numble |number=1793746493855424515 |title=LA Metro board approved staff's recommendation of the Hybrid ROW for K Line to Torrance extension. Inglewood Mayor Butts, who is Metro director representing South Bay, introduced motion for staff to respond to public comments and continue developing estimates and funding plan. |date=May 23, 2024 |access-date=May 23, 2024}}
According to the LA County Expenditure Plan (Measure M), groundbreaking for the project is scheduled for 2026, with an expected opening in 2030–2033, as of 2022. The timeline was previously expected to be accelerated under the Twenty-eight by '28 initiative.{{cite news | url=https://urbanize.la/post/here-are-28-projects-metro-could-complete-2028-olympics | title=Here are the 28 Projects that Metro Could Complete Before the 2028 Olympics | work=Urbanize Los Angeles | date=2017-10-27 | access-date=2019-08-12 | author=Sharp, Steven}}
Later developments
As of recent{{when|date=June 2025}} discussions and motions, there has been significant progress and community involvement in the planning of the C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance. The Council of Governments (COG) has played a crucial role in these developments, with a notable motion passed regarding the project's alignment and support.
=2024 Support for Metro C Line Extension in Torrance=
Torrance City Council, in a March 2024 meeting, solidified its support for the Metro C Line extension, offering support for the "right-of-way option" for the project's route into the city. In response to security concerns, the Metro has pledged to collaborate closely with local entities to develop and implement comprehensive safety and security measures.{{cite web |last1=Kopetman |first1=Roxana |title=Torrance will continue supporting Metro C Line extension into the city |url=https://www.dailybreeze.com/2024/03/13/torrance-will-continue-supporting-metro-c-line-extension-into-the-city/ |website=Daily Breeze |date=March 13, 2024 |access-date=March 15, 2024}}
=Poll Shows Community Support=
On August 16, 2023, Metro conducted a survey in regards to the C Line extension, in which 67% of the voters supported the project. After releasing a Draft Environmental Impact Review (EIR) of the project on January 27, 2023, 66% of the comments prefer extending the C Line using the Metro ROW option.{{cite web |last1=Myles |first1=Maya |title=Recent Poll Show Community Support for C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project |url=https://thesource.metro.net/2023/08/16/recent-poll-show-community-support-for-c-line-green-extension-to-torrance-project/ |website=The Source |date=August 16, 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023}}
=COG Motion and Community Support=
A motion was passed for the Council of Governments to remain neutral on the specific alignment of the C Line Extension while showing overall support for the project's continuation to Torrance. This decision reflects a collective agreement among various city representatives, indicating a strong regional backing for enhancing public transportation options. The voting outcome was as follows:{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8iKPnIW6rw&t=4400s|title=COG Meeting Recording|website=YouTube |date=January 31, 2024 |access-date=}}
- Yes: Carson, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV), Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills (RH), Rolling Hills Estates (RHE)
- Abstain: Hawthorne
- No: Lawndale, Torrance
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.metro.net/projects/green-line-extension/ C Line Extension to Torrance]
{{Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}
Category:2030 in rail transport
Category:Transportation in Los Angeles
Category:Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Category:Los Angeles Metro Rail projects
Category:Public transportation in Los Angeles
Category:Public transportation in Los Angeles County, California