K Line Northern Extension

A Locally Preferred Alternative is the route selected by the Metro Board of Directors that best meets the project’s goals, objectives, and community needs, based on technical analysis and public input. 

Metro is currently evaluating the K Line Northern Extension (KNE) project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which evaluates multiple alternatives. After a 60-day public comment period on the Draft EIR, including public hearings and community meetings, staff analyzed all feedback received and conducted additional technical analysis and community engagement in response to comments on the Draft EIR.

Metro has evaluated several alignment options in the Draft EIR (2024) and Mid-City Additional Alignment Analysis (2025), including: 

• San Vicente-Fairfax Alignment: would extend the K Line underground approximately 9.7 miles north from the Metro E Line Expo/Crenshaw Station to the Metro B Line Hollywood/Highland Station. 

• Fairfax Alignment: would extend the K Line underground approximately 7.8 miles north from the Metro E Line Expo/Crenshaw Station to the Metro B Line Hollywood/Highland Station. 

• La Brea Alignment: would extend the K Line underground approximately 6.2 miles north from the Metro E Line Expo/Crenshaw Station to the Metro B Line Hollywood/Highland Station. 

• Hollywood Bowl Design Option: would extend the K Line underground to the Hollywood Bowl, an alternate terminus to the Hollywood/Highland Station. 

• Mid-City Alignment Options: based on community feedback, Metro evaluated 12 alignment options in Mid-City, to explore routes that could minimize subsurface easements below historic neighborhoods, and compared options based on potential subsurface easements, tunnel length, travel times, and changes to station footprints. 

Since the 60-day public comment period on the Draft EIR ended in September 2024: 

• Compilation of Comments: All written and oral comments were reviewed and compiled. 

• Additional Technical Analysis & Community Engagement: In response to key concerns raised during the Draft EIR comment period, Metro conducted additional technical analysis and community engagement on tunnel safety, property concerns, and additional alignment options in Mid-City. These reports were published in Summer 2025.  

• Mid-City-Specific Outreach: Metro organized additional outreach and engagement focused on concerns raised by residents in historic Mid-City neighborhoods, particularly around alignment options, property considerations, and tunnel safety, including community meetings and updated technical materials. 

• Cost Benefit Analysis: Metro conducted a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) to compare the Draft EIR alignment alternatives based on expected costs and benefits, including a Weighted Benefits Analysis and a Benefit-Cost Ratio. 

• Staff Evaluation and Recommendation for LPA: Staff has weighed multiple factors (e.g. technical analyses environmental impacts, ridership and project benefits, costs, constructability, funding, CBA findings), and public comments and stakeholder input to evaluate how the alignment options studied align with project goals and objectives to inform the LPA recommendation. 

• Board Consideration: The Metro Board will consider the staff recommendation for the LPA and vote at a public meeting where the public may comment. 

The selection of an LPA is based on technical and policy considerations, such as: 

• Project goals and objectives 

• Findings from the Draft EIR, including environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, and additional analysis completed in 2025 in response to community concerns on the Draft EIR 

• Feedback received during the Draft EIR comment period and subsequent community engagement 

• Project costs, funding availability, and financial feasibility 

• Ridership projections and mobility improvements 

• Input from stakeholders 

• Constructability and operational feasibility 

• Consistency with Metro policies and regional planning goals 

• Proposed construction timeline 

• Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)