The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority recently released the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the C Line Extension to Torrance, marking a major milestone in the project.

Expanding rail service deeper into the South Bay, from the LA Metro K Line’s Redondo Beach station to the planned Torrance Transit Center station, the project would provide faster and more reliable connections, offering riders a 19-minute trip from Torrance to LAX. The project is funded in part by the voter-approved Measures R and M.

Construction could start as early as 2027, and the extension is estimated to open in 2036.

“This project represents a major step forward for the South Bay and for the entire LA Metro system,” said LA Metro Board Chair and Whittier City Council Member Fernando Dutra. “By extending rail service to Torrance, we are giving more Angelenos access to good jobs, faster commutes, and cleaner air. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with our community partners to ensure that this project best serves the needs of the community now and for generations to come.”

The FEIR reflects input from more than 2,000 public comments and includes design refinements, clarifications, and corrections. LA Metro also released updated cost estimates and a report about the real estate acquisitions that would be required to complete the project.

C Line Extension to Support Daily Trips and Reduce Vehicle Miles

In May 2024, the LA Metro Board approved the proposed route, the Hybrid Alternative, also known as the Locally Preferred Alternative, to follow LA Metro’s existing Harbor Subdivision right-of-way. It combines elevated, at-grade (street-level), and trench (below street-level) sections.

At key crossings, such as 170th Street and 182nd Street, the tracks will be placed below roadways in trenches to enhance safety, reduce noise, and minimize traffic delays for pedestrians and motorists.

Once in operation, the extension would support more than 11,500 daily trips, attract up to 1.49 million new riders annually, and reduce vehicle miles traveled on local roads by nearly 19.5 million miles each year.

By 2045, jobs in the South Bay are projected to grow nearly twice as fast as the population, while congestion could increase by almost 30 percent. The C Line Extension to Torrance offers a cost-effective way to add capacity, ease traffic, and strengthen the region’s economy.

The C Line Extension to Torrance is about connecting people and places,” said LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “It will allow riders to travel between LAX and Torrance via rail, link local communities to our expanding transit system, and provide a faster, more reliable alternative to sitting in traffic.”

The LA Metro Board of Directors is expected to consider certification of the FEIR and project approval this fall. If approved, LA Metro will move forward with design and engineering, first/last mile planning with cities, and preparations for construction.