LA Metro Advances K Line Extension to Grove
LA Metro board to vote on 9.7-mile K Line extension connecting Grove, Cedars-Sinai
LA Metro K Line Extension to Grove, Cedars Approved
Los Angeles transit riders could gain access to the Grove, Beverly Center, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center through a proposed 9.7-mile underground rail extension. The L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board is set to vote this week on the K Line northern extension project, which would stretch from Crenshaw/Expo to Hollywood with nine new stations plus a tenth at the Hollywood Bowl. Metro projects the extension could boost K Line ridership to 100,000 daily trips, with about two-thirds made by low-income individuals.
Context
The extension addresses a longstanding gap in Los Angeles' transit network by connecting West Hollywood, the Grove, Pacific Design Center, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to the rail system. The project would link up with four major rail lines and six of the county's busiest bus lines, creating a comprehensive north-south transit connection through some of the region's most densely populated areas. Transit officials said the route would serve neighborhoods that currently rely heavily on bus service and personal vehicles. The extension is part of Metro's broader expansion strategy to build out the county's rail network over the next two decades.
Project Details
The estimated cost ranges between $11 billion and $15 billion, making it one of the most expensive transit projects in Metro's pipeline. West Hollywood is required to provide at least 25% of capital costs through an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District, a funding mechanism that captures property tax revenue from areas benefiting from the infrastructure. Tunnels would be constructed 40 to 120 feet below ground using boring machines, with construction taking 8 to 12 years per section. Some residents oppose the project, citing concerns about tunneling under historic neighborhoods and funding questions that officials haven't fully addressed.
Timeline
Groundbreaking on the first phase isn't expected until 2041, well after the 2028 Olympics that Los Angeles will host. The extended timeline reflects the project's complexity and the need to secure funding commitments from multiple sources. The K Line extension follows other major Metro projects, including the D Line subway extension opening in May 2026 and the Southeast Gateway Line scheduled for 2035. Officials said the phased approach allows the agency to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously while maintaining existing service.
Rider Impact
The extension would provide direct rail access to major employment centers, medical facilities, and shopping destinations that currently require multiple bus transfers or lengthy trips for transit-dependent riders. Officials said the project would particularly benefit low-income residents who make up the majority of projected ridership. Construction will cause temporary disruptions in affected neighborhoods, though specific details about street closures and detours weren't provided. Riders can track Metro's rail expansion projects and get real-time updates through Moovit, which provides trip planning for all Los Angeles transit services.
