The Metro Regional Connector Project extends from the Metro Gold Line Little Tokyo/Arts District Station to the 7th Street/Metro Center Station in downtown Los Angeles, allowing passengers to transfer to Blue, Expo, Red and Purple Lines, bypassing Union Station. The 1.9-mile alignment will serve Little Tokyo, the Arts District, Civic Center, The Historic Core, Broadway, Grand Av, Bunker Hill, Flower St and the Financial District.
This new Metro Rail extension will also provide a one-seat ride for travel across Los Angeles County. From the Metro Gold Line, passengers will be able to travel from Azusa to Long Beach and from East Los Angeles to Santa Monica without transferring lines.
The Regional Connector will improve access to both local and regional destinations by providing continuous thru service between these lines and providing connectors to other rail lines via the 7th St/Metro Center Station.
The new Metro Rail extension will offer an alternative transportation option to congested roadways and provide significant environmental benefits, economic development, and employment opportunities throughout Los Angeles County.
Project at a Glance
- A 1.9-mile underground light-rail system connecting the Metro Gold Line to the 7th Street/Metro Center Station
- Direct connection between Azusa and Long Beach and between East Los Angeles and Santa Monica
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Three new stations:
- Little Tokyo/Arts District Station – 1st St/Central Av
- Historic Broadway Station – 2nd St/Broadway
- Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Station – 2nd Pl/Hope St
- All stations include public art components and provide convenient and safe access
- Project Budget: $1.756 Billion
- Forecasted opening: 2022
The Regional Connector Project receives partial funding from Measure R, which is a half-cent sales tax increase approved by voters in 2008.
The Regional Connector Transit Project will greatly improve connectivity across the region’s transportation network and welcome residents and tourists alike to three distinct districts within Downtown Los Angeles. Read more about each destination below.
Little Tokyo/Arts District Station

The Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, currently an at-grade Gold Line station located at the intersection of 1st and Alameda streets, will be moved underground and across the street to the southeast corner of 1st St and Central Av as part of the Regional Connector Transit Project. The station, bordering the two neighborhoods of Little Tokyo and the Arts District, will make these historically rich and vibrant neighborhoods easily accessible.
As one of the three remaining Japantowns in the United States, Little Tokyo offers a unique cultural experience for the whole family. This Gold Line destination introduces the public to traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through vibrant festivals, historical tours, exhibitions, performances and more. This neighborhood lies within a nationally recognized historic district and has been an important piece of LA’s history since it’s beginning. Walk down the brick-lined streets and explore small family owned businesses offering authentic cuisines and one of a kind retail. The neighborhood's local museums and cultural centers are the heart of this community and present unique artistic and cultural programming to the visitors every day.
Attractions:
- Aratani Theater
- Art Share L.A.
- Go For Broke Monument
- Historic Churches and Buddhist Temples
- Honda Plaza
- Japanese American Cultural and Community Center
- Japanese American National Museum
- Japanese Village Plaza
- Little Tokyo Public Library
- MOCA at Geffen Contemporary
- Southern California Institute of Architecture
- Weller Court
Since the 1970’s, this once gritty industrial district has evolved to an urban destination with arts at its roots. Galleries, small boutiques, socially conscious retailers, breweries and restaurants, lie amidst a stretch of early 20th-century warehouse lined blocks that introduce passersby to murals by local and international artists. Visitors can walk south just a few blocks from Metro’s Gold Line’s Little Tokyo/Arts District station and decide upon a guided historical tour, view street art, visit a contemporary gallery, take a hike to a local breweries, shop at an arts’ inspired boutique, or bring the family to the Saturday Farmer’s Market.
With the Regional Connector’s direct connection across Los Angeles County, residents from Azusa, Santa Monica, East Los Angeles and Long Beach will easily access downtown Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo and Arts District communities contributing to the thousands of visitors flowing each day into these two neighborhoods.
Attractions:
- Arts District Farmers Market
- Hauser Wirth and Schimmel
- Angel City Brewery

The rich history of the birth of downtown Los Angeles surrounds the location of the new Historic Broadway Station. The streets of historic downtown Los Angeles include two nationally registered districts: The Broadway Theater District, which includes the remnants of 12 theaters within seven blocks, and Old Spring Street, which is known as the original Financial District of Downtown Los Angeles. Broadway is one of the oldest streets in the city and it was laid out as part of the 1849 street plan. Broadway was also the home to streetcars, which were heavily utilized by shoppers and workers between 1901 and 1963.
The Historic Core Downtown and the Civic Center areas combined contain the second largest concentration of government employees in the United States outside Washington, D.C. The new station will be the hub for both government employees and tourists alike. With the connectivity to downtown, a visitor can hop on the train and go to the Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Station to visit the cultural hub of downtown Los Angeles or to the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station to visit historic Little Tokyo.
With the Regional Connector’s direct connection across Los Angeles County, residents from Azusa, Santa Monica, East Los Angeles and Long Beach can easily access downtown Los Angeles’ government services or nearby destinations.
Attractions:
- City of Los Angeles City Hall
- Angelus Plaza
- Caltrans District 7 and Los Angeles Department of Transportation
- Downtown Independent Cinema
- Federal Courthouse
- Grand Park
- Historic Broadway Corridor
- LA Law Library
- Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters
- Times Building
Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Station

The new Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Station will sit a block west of Grand Ave surrounded by nationally recognized performing arts centers and museums. Besides these cultural assets, the area remains a job and residential center for thousands of Angelenos. The area traditionally known as Bunker Hill draws thousands of local visitors, as well as tourists from all over the world.
Bunker Hill has a rich history from its inception in 1867 and its revitalization, beginning in 1955, which populated Bunker Hill with modern plazas and buildings. The resurgence of Bunker Hill in recent years grew from the construction of public venues, such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall , the Museum of Contemporary Art and more recently, The Broad Museum.
With the completion of the Regional Connector’s Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill two-story station, visitors can hop on the train and exit at the footsteps of these popular venues.
With Regional Connector’s direct connection across Los Angeles County, residents from Azusa, Santa Monica, East Los Angeles and Long Beach can easily access Downtown Los Angeles’ cultural hub and surrounding destinations.
Attractions:
- Ahmanson Theater
- California Plaza
- Colburn School of Performing Arts
- Department of Water and Power Headquarters
- Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
- Ketchum YMCA
- Mark Taper Forum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Redcat Theater
- Stanley Mosk Los Angeles County Court House
- The Broad Museum
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- World Trade Center
Existing 7th/Metro Center Station (Flower St/Financial District)
The 7th St/Metro Center, one of the most utilized Metro Rail stations, serves thousands of workers in the Financial District. With the completion of the Regional Connector, the 7th St/Metro Center will no longer be a terminus for the Long Beach Blue Line and the Culver City Expo Line but will offer an opportunity to save 20 minutes for those commuting by rail across Los Angeles County. The Regional Connector will also relieve station crowding with its direct access to centralized stations such as Little Tokyo/Arts District, Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill and Historic Broadway.
With Regional Connector’s connection across Los Angeles County, residents from Azusa, Santa Monica, East Los Angeles and Long Beach can easily access downtown Los Angeles’ Financial District and surrounding destinations.
Attractions:
- FIGat7th
- California Club
- Citigroup Center
- City National Plaza
- The Bloc Downtown
- Maguire Gardens
- Richard J. Riordan Central Library
- Sheraton Hotel
- The Standard Hotel
- The Westin Bonaventure Hotel
- Wilshire Grand Hotel (under construction)
Regional Connector Project Hotline
T: 213-922.7277
regionalconnector@metro.net
Regional Connector Community Office Little Tokyo
360 E. 1st St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Mondays: 10am to 5pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 1pm to 5pm
Wednesdays & Fridays: By appointment
To make an appointment call 213.922.7277 or email
regionalconnector@metro.net
Construction Relations Team
Olga N. Arroyo
Construction Relations Manager
Tel: 213.893.7115
ArroyoO@metro.net
Juan Carlos Montenegro
Sr. Construction Relations Officer
Tel: 213.893.7196
MontenegroJC@metro.net
Roberto Ayala
New Media Communications Officer
Tel: 213.893.7118
AyalaR@metro.net
Abraham Jurado
Community Relations Officer
Tel: 213.893.7141
juradoa@metro.net
Community Relations/Community Leadership Council Team
Jeanmarie Hance
Community Relations Manager
Tel: 213.613.1632
HanceJ@metro.net
Wendy Cardona
Community Relations Officer
Tel: 213.893.7122
CardonaW@metro.net
Media Relations
Rick Jager
Communications Manager
Tel: 213.922.2707
JagerR@metro.net
Construction Notices
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Start Date | Notice Brief | More Info |
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01/10/2020 |
Street Restoration at 1st St and Alameda St Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Street restoration at 1st St and Alameda St in downtown LA |
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12/02/2019 |
Utility investigation on Flower St Area: Flower St/Financial District Utility investigation on Flower St in downtown LA |
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11/25/2019 |
Fire hydrant installation at 6th St/Flower St intersection Area: Flower St/Financial District Fire hydrant installation at 6th St/Flower St intersection in downtown LA |
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11/25/2019 |
Construction truck mobilization on Flower St Area: Flower St/Financial District Construction truck mobilization on Flower St |
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11/23/2019 |
Lowering of equipment below deck at 1st St/Alameda St intersection Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Lowering of equipment below deck at 1st St/Alameda intersection in downtown LA |
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11/22/2019 |
Utility Surveying on Alameda St Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Utlity surveying on Alameda St in downtown LA. |
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11/19/2019 |
Equipment delivery at Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Equipment delivery at Little Tokyo/Arts District Station in downtown LA |
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11/18/2019 |
Driveway striping on Flower St Area: Flower St/Financial District Driveway striping on Flower St in downtown LA. |
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11/06/2019 |
Sidewalk repair at Flower St between 6th St and Wilshire Bl Area: Flower St/Financial District Sidewalk repair at Flower St between 6th St and Wilshire Bl in downtown LA |
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11/02/2019 |
Deck Panel Maintenance on Flower St between 3rd St and 6th St Area: Flower St/Financial District Deck Panel Maintenance on Flower St between 3rd St and 6th St in downtown LA |
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10/15/2019 |
Paving on Alameda St, between 1st St and 2nd St Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Paving on Alameda St between 1st St and 2nd St in downtown LA |
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10/04/2019 |
Construction activities on Flower St Area: Flower St/Financial District Construction activities on Flower St in downtown LA |
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08/28/2019 |
Paving on Alameda between Commercial St and 2nd St Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Paving on Alameda between Commercial St and 2nd St in downtown LA |
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08/24/2019 |
Paving on Flower St, between 5th and 6th St Area: Flower St/Financial District Paving on Flower St, between 5th and 6th St |
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08/24/2019 |
Equipment Removal at 5th and Flower St Area: Flower St/Financial District Equipment Removal at 5th and Flower St |
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08/16/2019 |
Drainage Repair Area: Flower St between 5th and 6th St Regional Connector Constructors will be repairing a storm drain on the east side of Flower St, between 5th and 6th Street. |
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08/14/2019 |
Maintenance of Deck Panels Area: Flower St between 6th St and Wilshire Bl Regional Connector Constructors will be performing grouting activities under the deck panels of Flower St between 6th St and Wilshire Bl. |
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08/12/2019 |
Underground concrete finishing work at 6th St and Flower St Area: Flower St/Financial District Underground concrete finishing work at 6th St and Flower St |
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08/06/2019 |
Utility Investigation/Relocation on Temple St and Alameda St Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Utility investigation/relocation on Temple St and Alameda St in downtown LA |
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08/03/2019 |
Pile Installation and Crane Pad Demolition at Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Area: 2nd/Hope Station Pile installation and crane pad demolition at Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill in downtown LA |
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08/01/2019 |
Pile installation at Mangrove Yard, Temple St, and Duco Yard Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Pile installation at Mangrove Yard, Temple St, and Duco Yard in downtown LA. |
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06/27/2019 |
Manhole Survey on 1st St between Alameda St and Central Av Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Manhole survey on 1st St in downtown LA |
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06/17/2019 |
Improved signage and stripping on Vignes and 2nd St Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Improved signage and stripping on Vignes and 2nd St in downtown LA |
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06/10/2019 |
Pile Installation on Alameda St and Temple St Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Pile installation on Alameda St and Temple St in downtown LA |
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06/01/2019 |
Deck Panel Maintenance on Flower St, between 6th St and Wilshire Bl Area: Flower St/Financial District Deck panel maintenance on Flower St in downtown LA. |
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05/28/2019 |
LADWP-Power Installation on Alameda between 1st St and Commercial St Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station LADWP-Power Installation on Alameda between 1st St and Commercial St, in downtown LA. |
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05/21/2019 |
Manhole Survey on Alameda St, between Temple and 1st St Area: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station Manhole survey on Alameda St in downtown LA. |
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05/01/2019 |
Street Closures and Detours Area: Where's it happening? Review the real-time map and longer term street impacts. |
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02/01/2019 |
Construction Activities at the 1st St/Central Av, 1st St and the Mangrove Yards Area: 1st/Central Station Area Construction activities at the 1st/Central, 1st St, and Mangrove Yards in downtown Los Angeles. |
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12/05/2018 |
Bikes prohibited on westbound 1st St, between Vignes and Alameda St, through 2021 Area: 1st/Central Station Area Bikes prohibited on westbound 1st St, between Vignes and Alameda St, through 2021 |
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09/14/2018 |
Concrete placement on Flower St Area: Flower Street/Financial District Concrete placement |
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08/27/2018 |
Train communications line work Area: Flower Street/Financial District Train communication line work |
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05/23/2018 |
1st and Central Concrete Placement Area: 1st/Central Station Concrete placement |
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05/07/2018 |
Concrete Placement at the Historic Broadway Station Area: 2nd/Broadway Station Concrete placement |
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02/26/2018 |
Station Excavation at 1st/Central station site Area: 1st/Central Station Station excavation & weekend closures |
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11/04/2017 |
Concrete Placement at the Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Station Area: 2nd/Hope Station Concrete pour |
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08/30/2017 |
Construction Activities at the 1st/Central & Mangrove Yards Area: 1st/Central Station Support of tunneling |
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08/04/2017 |
Construction Activities at the 2nd/Hope Station Yard Area: 2nd/Hope Station Various activities |
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05/08/2017 |
Excavation Continues on Flower St. between 4th St. and 6th St. Area: Flower Street/Financial District Excavation |
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06/08/2015 |
Bus Stop Relocation at 3rd St/Flower St Area: 3rd St/Flower St Beginning Monday, June 8, 2015 the bus stop at the 3rd St/Flower St intersection will be relocated to the south east corner of 3rd St/Hope St. |
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