LA Metro To Explore Alternate Route For C Line Extension Project

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Metro Board of Directors Thursday rejected a $2.7 billion proposed light rail extension route between Redondo Beach and Torrance, opting instead to pursue a different alignment that is expected to cost up to $737 million more with a new timeline.

In a unanimous vote, the board approved a motion introduced by three members last week instead of backing a recommendation made by Metro staff. The alternate route would explore an alignment that would run a train along Hawthorne Boulevard south of the San Diego (405) Freeway.

The C Line Extension to Torrance project aims to connect more of the South Bay by extending the alignment from Redondo Beach (Marine station) to the new Torrance Transit Center on Crenshaw Boulevard near Torrance Boulevard. The extension would run as the southern part of the K Line, which provides access to LAX, and would support between 11,500 to 15,600 daily transit trips, according to the transit agency.

The 4.5-mile C Line extension would travel through Lawndale, Redondo Beach and Torrance, adding two new light rail stations. Funding for the project comes from Measure M and R.

On Thursday, the Metro Board of Directors was expected to approve the staff-recommended alignment — which would operate on tracks already owned by the agency — and certify the final environmental impact report. If approved, it would have authorized staff to continue work on the project's design and advance toward pre-construction.

But, board members decided to support a different route proposed by L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval and Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, who are Metro directors.
The new Hawthorne option would start within the existing Metro right- of-way (at the Redondo Beach Marine Station), then leave the right-of-way to parallel the 405 Freeway between Inglewood Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard, and follow Hawthorne Boulevard south between 162nd Street and 190th Street.

As proposed, it would be an elevated alignment with one station, South Bay Galleria Station, south of Artesia Boulevard. The route would then turn southeast to join once again with Metro's right-of-way and travel south of 190th street to proceed to Torrance Transit Center.

Mitchell, who represents areas that would be impacted by the project, defended her proposal, citing the deep anxiety and fear she's heard from residents about the project going down tracks owned by Metro.

"Let me be clear, I know that there are some who view this as "NIMBY- ism." I, however, think it's not that simple. We have heard repeatedly about the residents' commitment to public transit, and they want public transit in their community, Mitchell said.

The staff-recommended route would impact 178 residential homes located along the Metro right-of-way, and would require 17 temporary construction easements on residential homes for construction that would last more than six years, according to the county supervisor.

Critics of the staff-recommended route — such as the cities of Redondo Beach, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, residents and homeowners as well as environmental groups — also raised concerns about the loss of green space, rail safety and the relocation of oil and gas pipelines located along the right-of-way.

Mitchell confirmed there are several privately owned pipelines within and adjacent to Metro's tracks.

"Residents and affected cities are also concerned about the impact of excavated soils associated with construction," Mitchell said. "Historic railroad operations may have led to the presence of hazardous materials along the right-of-way, including heavy metals and hydrocarbon contamination."

The supervisor argued that her proposed route is the better option, connecting to a commercial corridor with several businesses, the South Bay Galleria redevelopment and a direct connection to the South Bay Galleria bus station.

Completion date for the Hawthorne alignment would be expected to finish a few months after the anticipated completion date for the staff recommendation in 2036.

"I believe it will produce greater long-term community benefits for both residents and businesses, and I urge us not to conflate lower cost and ease of construction with best value," Mitchell said, adding that benefits sometimes outweigh the cost.

Transit advocates argued the staff-recommended route would bring the project to life sooner, transforming how South Bay residents travel through the area. Supporters of the Metro right-of-way route feared Mitchell's proposal would only serve to delay a long-awaited transit option.

Metro's Board of Directors made its decision to support the Hawthorne alignment after two hours of hearing from residents and officials. The agency received more than 1,500 comments on the matter.

Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.