METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

HDR Selected to Design L.A. Metro BRT Corridor

The BRT project will provide faster and more reliable service to meet the corridor’s growth by linking Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena.

September 24, 2024
HDR Selected to Design L.A. Metro BRT Corridor

L.A. Metro's new BRT is expected to result in travel time savings of 34% to 44% over existing transit services. 

Photo: HDR

2 min to read


The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) selected 

to provide the final design of the North Hollywood to Pasadena bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor project. 

Ad Loading...

The BRT project will provide faster and more reliable service to meet the corridor’s growth by linking Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena. 

Key destinations include the North Hollywood Arts District, Burbank Media District, Downtown Burbank, Glendale Galleria, Americana at Brand, Eagle Rock Plaza, Old Pasadena, and Pasadena City College.

Benefits of Metro’s New BRT Corridor

The new BRT is expected to result in travel time savings of 34% to 44% over existing transit services. 

The corridor includes 22 new stations over its 19 miles, and buses will use dedicated lanes on most of the route. New charging equipment at each end of the line will serve the system’s electric buses. 

“The 

Ad Loading...

will significantly reduce travel times for riders on this corridor, improving access to jobs, healthcare and more,” said HDR Principal Engineer Mark Christoffels, who is leading the firm’s work. “It’s great to work on projects that make such a tangible contribution to people’s everyday lives.”

HDR’s Work

HDR will provide a variety of design services, including civil and roadway, station, traffic, and more. 

The project is being delivered via the construction manager/general contractor approach. Working with the contractors, HDR has dedicated teams to each jurisdiction to accelerate progress in each section and avoid unnecessary delays. 

“Designing a multi-jurisdictional corridor isn’t something every team can take on, and I’m proud that HDR was chosen for this complex project,” said HDR Global Transit Director Matt Tucker. “This BRT will provide better transit options to busy neighborhoods in need of improved mobility options, and I’m looking forward to seeing the new service in operation a few years from now.” 

Construction on the corridor is expected to begin in 2025, with revenue service scheduled for 2027. 

More Bus

Turning Transportation Challenges into Opportunities
Management•by Alex Roman•October 22, 2026

Brian Dickson on Building Stronger, More Resilient Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.

Read More →
Groundbreaking ceremony for LA Metro's Vermont Transit Corridor BRT
Bus•by Staff and News Reports•October 22, 2026

LA Metro Breaks Ground on Vermont BRT Project

The 12.4-mile corridor is projected to serve 66,200 daily riders, reduce travel times by up to 24%, and create the nation's busiest bus rapid transit corridor.

Read More →
ABC Companies President and CEO Roman Cornell
Bus•by Alex Roman•October 21, 2026

Roman Cornell on ABC Companies’ Evolution and the Future of Passenger Transportation

The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
VIA Primo BRT bus riders
Bus•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

VIA Bus Ridership Grows 10.1% Through August 2026

San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit reported the highest bus ridership growth among major Texas transit systems. Federal Transit Administration data ranked it second among the nation's 50 largest transit systems.

Read More →
Crowd waiting for LA Metro bus
Management•by Staff and News Reports•October 16, 2026

LA Metro September Ridership Climbs 3.9%, Led by Rail Growth

The agency recorded more than 27.2 million boardings, with rail ridership increasing 12.4% year over year and the D Line posting the largest gains.

Read More →
The Frontrunner XF on the APTA Expo show floor in 2026.
Paratransit•by Alex Roman•October 15, 2026

Frontrunner Bus Group Introduces XF Low-Floor Bus with Enhanced Accessibility

The new mid-sized bus features a full flat-floor design, eight-inch curbside step-in height, and zero-entry rear ramp to improve passenger access and operational flexibility.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An overhead view of APTA EXPO's show floor.
Management•by Alex Roman•October 9, 2026

Scenes from APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026

Transit leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals gathered in Chicago to explore new technologies, share ideas, and discuss the future of public transportation.

Read More →
DRPA interns with program swag.
Management•by Alex Roman•October 1, 2026

More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent

The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.

Read More →
A shot of ENC's manufacturing facility
Zero Emissions•by Alex Roman•September 30, 2026

LA Metro Board Awards 220 Battery-Electric Bus Contract to ENC

The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Help Shape the 2027 Public Transit Conference
Management•by Alex Roman•September 29, 2026

Public Transit Conference Returning to GFX in 2027, Call for Papers Now Open

The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.

Read More →