Metro is conducting an environmental review of the Regional Connector Transit Corridor, a project that would create an almost 2-mile transit link between the Metro Gold Line, Metro Blue Line and Expo light rail transit (LRT) systems through Downtown Los Angeles. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR) will be released for public review in late summer 2010.

The Regional Connector will connect the Metro Gold Line, Blue Line and Expo Line enabling passengers to travel from Azusa to Long Beach and from the Eastside to Culver City. By providing continuous through service between these lines, the Regional Connector will improve access to both local and regional destinations – and help create a true transportation network for the region.

The Regional Connector will receive partial funding from Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase approved by voters in November 2008.

By linking several LRT systems through Downtown Los Angeles, the Regional Connector increases regional mobility by providing access to new destinations for transit riders.

The Regional Connector will:

• Enhance Metro Rail service by providing one continuous trip between Azusa and Long Beach, and between the Eastside and Culver City. Specifically, this project creates two regional LRT lines for LA County:
  • a 50-mile north/south LRT line from Pasadena (and in future Azusa) to Long Beach, and
  • a 25 mile east/west LRT line from East Los Angeles (and in future the I-605 freeway) to Culver City and eventually Santa Monica
• Provides access to 90,000 passengers daily, including 17,000 new transit riders.
• Minimizes the need for transfers, reducing one-way light rail trips across the County by 10 - 20 minutes or more.
• Improves 11 intersections, including at 1st/Alameda Streets, which will see improved performance and less congestion.
• Reduces station crowding, especially at peak hours.
• Provides new access to downtown attractions as well as regional destinations.

The Regional Connector will enable all LA County rail and bus transit, as well as all intercity transit service to operate more efficiently and attract higher ridership, thus reducing congestion, improving air quality and lessening our carbon footprint.

Where We Are in the Process

In 2007, Metro initiated an Alternatives Analysis (AA) Study which identified and analyzed 33 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.

In early 2009, these four alternatives were authorized by the Metro Board of Directors for further study 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. The alternatives currently under analysis in the Draft EIS/EIR include the following alternatives:

• Fully Underground LRT
• At-Grade Emphasis LRT
• Underground Emphasis LRT
• No-Build
• Transportation System Management (TSM)

During the Draft EIS/EIR process, Metro will further refine the project alternatives (including alignments and station locations), assess the potential impacts of the alternatives and address possible mitigation measures. We will also consider the cost effectiveness of the alternatives as well as funding options for constructing the project.

At the conclusion of the Draft EIS/EIR process in late 2010, the Metro Board will recommend a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) which will identify the project to move forward into the Final EIS/EIR process. Metro and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will be preparing a joint document that meets the requirements of both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).