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News

Light Rail Chosen for Route Between Exposition Blvd. and LAX

Zach Behrens

Published Dec 9, 2009 11:00 PM

The Metro Board of Directors today approved using light rail on the 8.5-mile Crenshaw route between LAX and Crenshaw and Exposition boulevards. Other options included doing nothing, beefing up current bus service in the area and developing a bus rapid transit system that would begin at Wilshire Boulevard.

The $1.3 billion project could be completed as early as 2018 with construction expected to begin in either 2012 or 2013. Its terminus at LAX will be the current Green Line Aviation station, meaning getting to the actual airport is still a shuttle bus away. The other terminus will be Crenshaw and Exposition, home to a future Expo Line station, which could be in operation by the end of 2010.

Next steps include studying an underground portion between 48th and 59th streets and finding a space for the rail maintenance yard.