One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Metro narrowing route options for rail line from Union Station to Artesia
Metro is planning two projects with Measure M funds: one to extend the Gold Line from Atlantic Boulevard in East Los Angeles to South El Monte or Whittier. The other will connect Union Station with Artesia.
(
L.A. Metro
)
(
LA MTA
)
Listen
0:59
Metro narrowing route options for rail line from Union Station to Artesia
The Measure M sales tax increase approved by Los Angeles County voters last year will fund a massive expansion of rail in the county. This week, Metro will move forward with two of those projects.
The Metro board is winnowing down route options for two new train lines: One to push transit deeper into the eastern part of the county by extending the Gold Line from Atlantic Boulevard in East Los Angeles to South El Monte or Whittier. The other will connect Union Station with Artesia.
Metro originally considered choosing between a northern route for the Gold Line that would take the train along State Route 60 to Peck Road in South El Monte or a southern route that would travel along Washington Boulevard to Lambert Road in Whittier.
Metro is now considering a third option to build both in a Y formation.
(
LA MTA
)
The Artesia transit line has been planned since 2008 when voters approved the Measure R sales tax increase. Measure M provides the funds needed to build the line as a light rail in two phases.
The line would serve diverse and densely populated working class communities in the Harbor Gateway area of southeastern L.A. county that rely heavily on transit.
Sponsored message
During the campaign for Measure M, local leaders complained the project wasn’t given high enough priority under the Measure M project timeline — the second phase isn’t scheduled for completion until 2041.
But Metro will begin the environmental review process this year and hopes to have the project ready to move forward quicker if new funds become available.
The agency is exploring several proposals for private partnerships that could speed up the rail line by 10 years or more.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
