LA Metro C Line Extension Nears Approval
Metro Board to vote on $2.1 billion C Line extension to Torrance on January 10
Metro C Line Extension Nears Key Approval
Metro's Board will consider certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report for the C Line Extension to Torrance at its January meeting, transit officials said. The 4.4-mile extension would stretch the existing C Line from its current Redondo Beach Station terminus into Torrance, expanding service to South Bay communities. Officials estimate the project will cost approximately $2.1 billion, though they haven't announced a construction timeline.
Environmental Review Clears Critical Hurdle
The environmental certification represents completion of a multi-year review process that began in 2019, according to Metro. Federal law requires environmental impact reviews for major transit projects receiving federal funding, making FEIR certification a mandatory step before construction can start. The project's funded through Measure M, the half-cent sales tax LA County voters approved in 2016 for transportation improvements. Officials didn't provide ridership projections or specify how many new stations the extension will include.
Extension Builds on 30-Year-Old Line
The C Line originally opened in 1995 as the Green Line, connecting Norwalk to Redondo Beach. The current line carries approximately 30,000 daily riders, Metro data shows. This extension would mark the line's first major expansion in three decades. Stephanie Wiggins, Chief Executive Officer of Metro, oversees the project's development, though she hasn't commented publicly on the January board agenda. Station details and final route specifications will be determined following environmental certification, officials said.
Board Decision Expected This Month
The Metro Board meeting is scheduled for January 10, though the agency's announcement published January 8, 2025, listed the year as 2026, creating uncertainty about the exact date. Kathryn Barger chairs the Metro Board of Directors. Officials said construction timelines will be established after FEIR certification and subsequent project approvals. The board will also consider advancement of the separate Sepulveda Transit Corridor project at the same meeting.
South Bay Riders Await Service Expansion
Torrance residents and South Bay commuters stand to gain improved transit connections to the broader Metro rail network once construction's complete. Officials haven't said when service might begin or released detailed station locations. Denny Zane, Executive Director of Move LA, a transit advocacy group, said the projects represent critical investments in LA County's transit future. Riders can track project updates and plan trips using Moovit's real-time transit information for Metro's C Line and connecting routes.
