Overview

The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor project anticipates receiving an award from USDOT of $20 million in TIFIA loan assistance under the TIGER II program. This award would allow Metro to apply for a low interest loan from the Federal Government as an interim financing mechanism for the project. The FTA grant award indicates that the $20 million award could bring up to $546 million in a federal loan to advance some of the project funding and ensure a steady stream of cash for the project minimizing the risk for project delays due to funding availability. The light rail line runs along Crenshaw Blvd. and the Harbor Subdivision right-of-way from Exposition Blvd. to the Metro Green Line.

• The 8.5-mile line will connect the Metro Green Line and the Expo Line currently under construction at Crenshaw and Exposition Boulevards.
• The anticipated federal loan will be repaid over the next 30 years with funds from Measure R.

Metro has completed the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS/DEIR), in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Crenshaw Transit Corridor, which extends approximately 10 miles from Wilshire Bl on the north to El Segundo Bl on the south. 

The results of the DEIS/DEIR, along with public comments gathered during the Public Hearings, were presented to the Planning and Programming Committee on November 18, 2009 and the full Board on December 10. At that meeting, the Board approved the light rail option as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Final EIS/EIR.

The project purpose is to improve public transit service and mobility in the Crenshaw Corridor between Wilshire and El Segundo Blvds. The overall goal of the proposed project is to improve mobility in the corridor by connecting with existing lines such as the Metro Green Line or approved transit lines such as Expo Light Rail Transit (LRT) (under construction).

Mobility issues in the corridor have been well documented in many studies, including the Crenshaw-Prairie Corridor Preliminary Planning Study (1994), the Route Refinement Study (2000), the Major Investment Study (MIS) (2003), and the 2004 Regional Transportation Plan.