Overview

• Locations for Review of the Final EIS/EIR

In October 2010, the Metro Board of Directors approved the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR) and designated the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Regional Connector, a 1.9-mile fully underground Light Rail Transit (LRT) line that will connect the Metro Gold Line to the Metro Blue Line and future Expo Line. With its vote, the Board also authorized Metro staff to begin work on the Final EIS/EIR and Advanced Conceptual Engineering (ACE)/Preliminary Engineering (PE).

The Regional Connector will connect the Metro Gold Line, Blue Line and Expo Line enabling passengers to travel from Montclair to Long Beach and from East Los Angeles to Santa Monica as a "one seat ride". By providing continuous through service between these lines, the Regional Connector will improve access to both local and regional destinations - and greatly improve the connectivity of the transportation network for the region.

Metro completed an Alternatives Analysis (AA) in 2009 and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR) in 2010 for the project.  Metro anticipates completing the Final EIS/EIR by the end of 2011. 

The Regional Connector project receives partial funding from Measure R, which is a half-cent sales tax increase approved by voters in 2008. This project has also been identified as one of Metro's priority projects.

Background

The Regional Connector will enable Los Angeles County rail to operate more efficiently and attract higher ridership, thus reducing congestion, improving air quality and lessening our carbon footprint. By linking several LRT systems through Downtown Los Angeles, the Regional Connector will increase regional mobility by providing access to new destinations for transit riders.  Transit passengers will have access to three new stations in Downtown Los Angeles: Grand Ave., Broadway and the Little Tokyo/Arts District.

The Regional Connector will:

• Enhance Metro Rail service by providing one continuous trip between Claremont and Long Beach, and between the Eastside and Santa Monica. Specifically, this project creates two regional LRT lines for Los Angeles County:
  • A north/south LRT line from Claremont to Long Beach, and
  • A east/west LRT line from East Los Angeles (and in future the I-605 freeway) to Santa Monica
• Provides access to 90,000 passengers daily, including approximately 17,000 new transit riders.
• Minimizes the need for transfers, reducing one-way light rail trip times across the County by 10 - 20 minutes or more.
• Improves 11 intersections, including at 1st/Alameda Sts., which will see improved performance and less congestion.
• Provides 3 new stations and access to downtown attractions as well as regional destinations.

The Process

Project Timeline

2007

Metro initiated an Alternatives Analysis (AA) Study that identified and analyzed 36 routes for the Regional Connector. After technical analysis and extensive community input, the study yielded two "build" alternatives which utilize Light Rail Transit (LRT) technology as well as two required alternatives, the No-Build and Transportation System Management alternatives.

2009

Metro Board of Directors authorized further study of four alternatives in the next phase, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (Draft EIS/EIR). During this environmental phase, the Metro Board added a fifth alternative in response to community input. During this process, Metro assessed the potential impacts of the alternatives and developed possible mitigation measures. 

2010

Metro staff developed the Draft EIS/EIR, releasing it for community review in September 2010. After an extensive community participation process, the Metro Board of Directors designated the Fully Underground LRT as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) with three new stations: Little Tokyo/Arts District, Broadway and Grand Ave.

2011

Metro will continue to meet with key stakeholder groups to further develop the Mitigation Monitoring Program and complete the Final EIS/EIR.  The Final EIS/EIR will include refinements to the LPA, incorporation of input submitted during the Draft EIS/EIR comment period, and completion of the Mitigation Monitoring Program.  FTA authorizes entry into Preliminary Engineering (PE). Station design efforts will begin. 

2013

In concert with stakeholder meetings, Final Design of the Regional Connector is expected to continue through 2013.  Final Design includes the alignment and station designs.

2014

At the conclusion of Final Design, construction on the Regional Connector could begin. The Mitigation Monitoring Program would begin implementation.

2019

Metro anticipates the completion of construction for the Regional Connector, and the lines are in service.  

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  Community Update Meeting- April 2010 (8)

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