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Crenshaw Northern Extension

The Crenshaw Northern Extension project has the potential to create a reliable, high performing regional north-south rail transit corridor.  It will extend the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, currently under construction, to the north and will connect the South Bay, LAX area, South Los Angeles, Inglewood and Crenshaw corridor to Mid-City, Central Los Angeles, West Hollywood and Hollywood, allowing for further connections to points north in the San Fernando Valley via the Metro Red Line. Further, the project would link four Metro Rail lines (C (Green), E (Expo), D (Purple), and B (Red)) and five of the top ten busiest bus lines in the country.

Based on earlier studies, the Metro Board of Directors selected three alignments for further analysis in the environmental study stage. This analysis is expected to be complete in 2023. Additional opportunities for public engagement will occur throughout the study.

Measure M, approved by LA County voters in 2016, allocates $2.24 billion to the project, with a groundbreaking date of 2041 and project completion date of 2047. Metro is conducting this study at this time as there are local efforts underway to identify funding to deliver this project earlier.



1. What is the Crenshaw Northern Extension?

The Crenshaw Northern Extension is a rail transit project that was identified in Measure M. When combined with the Crenshaw/LAX line currently under construction, the Crenshaw Northern Extension will connect the South Bay, LAX area, Inglewood, South LA and Crenshaw District to Mid-City, Central Los Angeles, West Hollywood and Hollywood as well as points north in the San Fernando Valley via the Metro B Line (Red).

2. What is Measure M?

Measure M is a half-cent sales tax that was approved by Los Angeles County voters in 2016. The funds generated are designated for specific transportation purposes including several new transit and highway projects around the County, as well as bus and rail operations. Measures M also provides funding to cities in Los Angeles County for local transportation purposes.

3. What was the purpose of the Crenshaw Northern Extension Advanced Alternatives Screening Study?

The purpose of the study was to inform and educate the public as well as solicit public input on proposed routes for this project to determine which alternatives would move on to the environmental review process.

The goals of the study were:

  • Inform the public about possible alignments and grade separations along with financial and timing implications of these alternatives.
  • Collect public input to inform this study process including community priorities, preferences and questions for this project.
  • Provide realistic timelines to the public on the completion of this project based on currently planned funding as well as what would need to occur for the project to be completed sooner.

4. Is this project a subway, an above-ground railway or a rail project that runs on the street?

A variety of factors will go into making this determination including existing street width and infrastructure. This will be evaluated as a part of this environmental analysis.

5. Where are the stations going to be located?

Station locations will be studied and identified as a part of this environmental analysis. In general, The Feasibility Study identifies general station locations, including connection points with other Metro Rail lines such as the Crenshaw/LAX, E Line (Expo), D Line (Purple) and B Line (Red), as well as at major intersections to allow for bus connections and proximity to major destinations.

6. How many people will use this rail line on a daily basis?

Depending on the route chosen, the project is anticipated to serve between 87,000 and 91,000 daily boardings.

7. How much will the Crenshaw Northern Extension project cost?

The final selected route and how much of it is below-ground, above-ground (aerial) or at street-level (at-grade) will affect the overall cost.

8. When is this project slated to begin?

Based on the current Measure M funding schedule, this project would break ground in 2041 and begin operations in 2047. However, Metro is conducting this study now to ensure the project is shovel ready (ready for the construction stage). The cities of West Hollywood and Los Angeles are exploring ways to accelerate the timeline of this project.

9. How can I be involved in providing public input on the proposed routes?

Public input is an important part of this study. Metro will provide opportunities to help shape the project beginning with conducting scoping during 2021. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, we will provide ways for residents, riders, businesses and other stakeholders to virtually engage with us. We encourage you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Project and event information can be found at metro.net/crenshawnorth .

10. When did this study take place and what happens after this screening study?

Metro conducted the screening study from December 2018 to February 2020. Information from this study will be used to identity the route option(s) that will be studied in a formal environmental process that will begin in late 2020.

11. What are the route options currently under consideration in the environmental analysis?

There are three major route options that are currently being explored. Beginning from the northern terminus of the Crenshaw/LAX line at Crenshaw/Expo they all follow Crenshaw Boulevard north to San Vincente and proceed as follows:

  • San Vincente Alternative : This option heads northwest on San Vincente Blvd, then north on Fairfax Avenue, connecting to the future Metro D Line (Purple) station at Wilshire/Fairfax. The alignment continues north on Fairfax Avenue, west on Beverly Blvd, north on San Vincente Blvd east on Santa Monica Blvd, and turns north to connect to the Metro B Line (Red) at Hollywood/Highland, with a potential Hollywood Bowl terminus.
  • Fairfax Alternative : This option heads northwest on San Vincente Blvd and north on Fairfax Ave where it will connect with the future Metro Purple Line station at Wilshire/Fairfax. It continues north on Fairfax Ave, east on Santa Monica Boulevard, and turns north to connect to the Metro B Line (Red) at Hollywood/Highland, with a potential Hollywood Bowl terminus.
  • La Brea Alternative : This option heads northwest on San Vincente Blvd and north on La Brea where it will connect with the future Metro D Line (Purple) station at Wilshire/La Brea. From there, it continues north on La Brea Avenue to connect with the Metro B Line (Red) at Hollywood/Highland, with a potential Hollywood Bowl terminus.

Metro is hosting three virtual meetings to provide the public with a project overview and to capture stakeholder input and feedback on alignment alternatives. The meetings will be held on the following days and times:

Thursday, April 29,
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87500507019
Meeting ID: 875 0050 7019

Thursday, May 6,
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82996680178
Meeting ID: 829 9668 0178

Saturday, May 8,
10 AM – Noon
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84880363069
Meeting ID: 848 8036 3069

Learn more about the Crenshaw Northern Extension by visiting the online presentation at your convenience. This presentation has interactive maps of the alternatives, information on the environmental process and more about the project.

Comments will be accepted between April 15 and May 28. Comments may be sent by email to crenshawnorth@metro.net or by visiting metro.net/crenshawnorth or call us at 213.418.3093.