Metro invites you to a scoping meeting on Zoom or online presentation (in English or Spanish ) on your own time to learn more about the project and provide your comments. The meetings are being held to inform the public that Metro prepared an NOP and to solicit public comment during a review period from January 29, 2021 to March 15, 2021.
Virtual Scoping Meeting #1
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
4 – 6pm
Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86041198859
Telephone: 646.558.8656
Webinar ID: 860 4119 8859
Virtual Scoping Meeting #2
Saturday, February 27, 2021
11am – 1pm
Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82839902680
Telephone: 646.558.8656
Webinar ID: 828 3990 2680
You can also learn more about the C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance project by visiting the online presentation (in English or Spanish ) at your convenience. This presentation has interactive maps of the alternatives, information on the environmental process and more about the project.
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To be added to the project mailing list, please email us at greenlineextension@metro.net
Metro has a plan for better transit in LA County — which includes the Green Line Extension to Torrance Project. This project is an extension of light rail along a four-mile segment of the Harbor Subdivision Corridor from the existing Metro Redondo Beach Station to the proposed Regional Transit Center (RTC) in Torrance, served by the Metro Green and Crenshaw/LAX Lines.
This extension will provide an alternative to crowded I-405 freeway and better connect southwestern LA County into the regional rail network through connections to the Metro A (Blue) and E (Expo) Lines and future LAX/Crenshaw Transit project. The project is anticipated to open in 2030-2033. However, the Metro Board has directed that efforts be undertaken to expedite project delivery to open by 2028.
Project Goals
- Improve mobility in the South Bay by introducing reliable and high-frequency transit service.
- Enhance the regional transit network by providing more direct connections from South Bay to regional destinations.
- Provide an alternative mode of transportation for commuters who currently use the congested arterials in the study area and I-405. Improve transit accessibility for residents of communities in and around the South Bay.
- Encourage more people to ride transit, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Project Area
The project study area encompasses three communities, including the Cities of Lawndale, Redondo Beach, and Torrance.
Funding
The Green Line Extension to Torrance is funded by Measure M and Measure R, both a half-cent sales tax that funds a number of transportation projects/programs. Under both Measures, the project received a combined $891 million.
The project has initiated the study of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) that describes the project and summarizes the findings of environmental impacts. Metro is the lead agency for the Project. The DEIR will be prepared in accordance with Section 15170 of the CEQA Guidelines.
A Revised Notice of Preparation (NOP) was issued to notify interested agencies and parties, local jurisdictions, community organizations, and interested residents of the preparation of the Draft EIR for the Project. This revised NOP is to solicit comments as to the scope and content of the Draft EIR and potential environmental effects from the Project; invite public participation in the Draft EIR scoping process; and announce the scoping meetings on Zoom.
Scoping is one of the first steps in the environmental review process where criteria is identified that will be used to evaluate the project alternatives. During this first stage of the environmental process, Metro will:
- Identify the project goals and objectives
- Present project purpose
- Define alternatives and options under consideration
- Obtain input from other public agencies
- Determine impacts for environmental analysis
The purpose of the Draft EIR is to disclose the impacts of the Project on the environment. The Draft EIR will address the following topics:
- Aesthetics
- Agriculture/Forestry Resources
- Air Quality
- Biological Resources
- Cultural Resources
- Energy
- Geology/Soils
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Hazards and Hazardous Materials
- Hydrology/Water Quality
- Land Use/Planning
- Mineral Resources
- Noise
- Population/Housing
- Public Services
- Recreation
- Transportation
- Tribal Cultural Resources
- Utilities/Service Systems
- Wildlife
Throughout the environmental review process there will be opportunities for the public to comment on the project and participate in community meetings and events.
In 2018, Metro completed the Supplemental Alternatives Analysis (SAA), soliciting feedback from corridor cities and stakeholders, refining alternatives previously identified as part of the Metro Harbor Subdivision Alternatives Analysis (AA) Report prepared in 2009. The SAA identified two alternatives to be studied in the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS):
Alternative 1: Metro-Owned Right-of-Way
Alternative 1 would begin at the existing Redondo Beach Station and follow the existing Metro railroad right-of-way for the length of the Project. Two stations are proposed: Redondo Beach Transit Center and Torrance Transit Center.
Alternative 2: Hawthorne Boulevard
Alternative 2 would begin at the existing Redondo Beach Station and leave the Metro right-of-way to parallel I-405 between Inglewood Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard. It would then follow Hawthorne Boulevard south before rejoining the Metro railroad right-of-way near 190th Street. Two stations are proposed: South Bay Galleria and Torrance Transit Center.