In advance of a trio of community meetings scheduled to occur later this month, Metro has provided an update on the proposed South Bay Metro Rail extension.

The project, which has $891 million in funding from the countywide sales taxes levied through Measure R and M, calls for extending service on the Green and Crenshaw/LAX lines approximately five miles south to a future transit center in Torrance. Metro is currently considering variations of three alignments for the project:

Alternatives 1 & 2

Under Alternative 1, service would continue within the confines of the Harbor Subdivision - a historic freight rail right-of-way that terminates near the port complex in San Pedro Bay.

The existing rail viaduct would extend south, with a station at the intersection of Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Inglewood Avenue, before descending to grade level at 166th Street. Trains would continue at-grade - albeit with just two street-level crossings - along the Harbor Subdivision, with a new stop at the proposed Redondo Beach Transit Center, which neighbors the South Bay Galleria shopping mall.

Service would terminate at the proposed Torrance Transit Center - located at the Harbor Subdivision's intersection with Crenshaw Boulevard.

Alternative 2 would follow the same alignment, but proposes an undercrossing at Manhattan Boulevard and Inglewood Avenue rather than elevated tracks.

Under both alternatives - which propose 4.5 miles of track - total travel times are estimated at 7.1 minutes. Alternative 1 carries an estimated cost of $900 million, while Alternative 2 - with its trenched segment - would cost an estimated $1.1 billion.

Alternative 3

Alternative 3 would temporarily divert service away from the Harbor Subdivision towards a north-south alignment along Hawthorne Boulevard.

Trains would travel south from the existing Redondo Beach Station on an aerial alignment until reaching Hawthorne Boulevard, where tracks would then transition to a street-level station at 166th Street. Service would continue at-grade - with a second stop near the South Bay Galleria - until transitioning to aerial tracks at 186th Street and rejoining the Harbor Subdivision.

Service would terminate at the proposed Torrance Transit Center.

This alternative would involve up to six at-grade crossings, although two intersections would be considered for closure, and additional grade separation would be considered at Redondo Beach and Artesia Boulevards.

Alternative 3, which also comes in at 4.5 miles, would offer an approximately nine-minute trip depending on stop lights. Project costs are estimated at $1 billion.

Alternative 4

Alternative 4 offers a middle ground between the prior three options.

Trains would operate on a fully elevated alignment running north-south above Hawthorne Boulevard, with a stop at 166th Street. At Redondo Beach and Artesia Boulevards, tracks would turn west to eventually rejoin the Harbor Subdivision - again with a station at the proposed Redondo Beach Transit Center.

Service would terminate at the proposed Torrance Transit Center.

This option calls for just one at-grade crossing - planned at 182nd street.

Alternative 4's five-mile trip would take approximately 8.5 minutes. The total cost is estimated at $1.1 billion.

Next Steps

Metro is currently soliciting stakeholder feedback for the South Bay extension, with the goal of presenting its technical evaluation to the Metro Board of Directors this summer. The project's environmental impact report is expected to follow in Winter 2019.

Per the Measure M expenditure plan, the South Bay extension is scheduled to break ground in 2026 and open sometime between 2030 and 2033. It has been identified as one of 28 projects that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has proposed construction on an accelerated schedule to open before the 2028 Summer Olympics. The 28 by 28 plan calls for an opening date in 2027.

For more information, the dates and locations for the community meetings are as follows:

City of Lawndale

Leuzinger High School Auditorium

Tuesday, April 17, 6 to 8 p.m.

4118 W. Rosecrans Ave, Lawndale

Served by Metro lines 125 and 211/215

Free parking is available at the location.

City of Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center

Thursday, April 19, 6 to 8 p.m.

1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Redondo Beach

Served by Metro line 126, Torrance Transit line 8, and LADOT Commuter Express 574

Free parking is available at the location.

City of Torrance

Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Toyota Meeting Hall

Thursday, April 26, 6 to 8 p.m.

3330 Civic Center Dr, Torrance

Served by Torrance Transit lines 1, 2, 4X, and 6

Free parking is available at the location