L.A. Metro Approves EIR for East Side Extension

The board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) voted to approve certification of the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project.

The action finalizes the environmental review for this two-phased project that will extend the Metro E Line nine miles further east from its current terminus at Atlantic Station in East Los Angeles to Lambert Station in the City of Whittier.

The E Line Extension

As part of Phase 1, which is scheduled to start by 2029, and according to the Initial Operating Segment (IOS), the line will extend from Pomona and Atlantic Boulevards to the City of Whittier via Washington Boulevard.

The Eastside Extension will include three new rail stations with the new Atlantic/Whittier and Commerce/Citadel stations underground and the Greenwood station at street level.

Additionally, a new Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) will also be added and located in the City of Montebello.

The Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 rail extension will provide commuters in a high travel-demand corridor relief to the limited transportation systems currently available.

The initial segment from East Los Angeles to Greenwood Station in Montebello will include approximately three miles of light rail transit (LRT) underground, a half mile of aerial transit and 1.1 miles of track at street level for a total of 4.6 miles of new rail line from the current terminus at Atlantic Boulevard.

Garnering Customer Feedback

Metro engaged with communities throughout the environmental study and the project team will continue to coordinate with cities, property owners, third-party utility owners, and other key local, state, and federal agency stakeholders as the project develops throughout the design and re-initiating the National Environmental Policy Act.

"When this new section of the E Line opens, Metro riders in our Eastside communities will be connected to the greater network of transit throughout the Metro system," said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. "Added connectivity for all communities throughout Los Angeles County is a priority for Metro."

Funds for the phase come from the Measure M transportation sales tax measure approved by voters in 2016.

Measure M allocates $6 billion for this project in two funding cycles. Cycle 1 allocates $3 billion for the Washington Alternative beginning in 2029 and Cycle 2 allocates $3 billion for the second alternative beginning in 2053. The second alternative is being evaluated through the San Gabriel Valley Transit Feasibility Study.