A decision on the route of a proposed 4.5-mile extension of the C (Green) Line through Redondo Beach, Lawndale and Torrance has been postponed, Metro announced on Thursday.
The LA Metro project was supposed to go before the board of directors on Oct. 26. At that board meeting, the board was scheduled to choose the preferred route from among three different alignments for the light-rail extension.
At the request of L.A. County Supervisor and Metro board member Holly Mitchell, that vote will not go to the board as scheduled, Metro announced. Instead, Mitchell wants to hold more community meetings and learn more about the options for the project firsthand. No new board date was announced.
The project would extend the line’s western terminus 4.5 miles — from its current end at Redondo Beach Metro Station on Marine Avenue to the new transit center at 465 Crenshaw Blvd. in Torrance. There are three options, or alignments, being considered:
One is the ROW (right of way) option in which the train would follow the Metro-owned public right-of-way down a grassy stretch of land that is enjoyed by local residents for walks and even birthday parties, according to some residents. Some portions of this alignment would have street-level grade crossings and others an elevated track.
With this route, existing freight tracks would be moved closer to homes, but they would be newer and some say quieter. A long stretch of the narrow, grassy area would be used for light-rail train tracks, which is opposed by many residents who called into the LA Metro board meeting on Thursday.
The ROW alignment would cost about $2 billion with completion expected in 2033, the cheapest and quickest option. A hybrid form along the ROW route, with some sections built in trenches, would cost $2.23 billion and be completed in 2034.
An option to build an all-elevated train next to the 405 Freeway along Hawthorne Boulevard would cost about $3 billion and would need Federal Highway Administration…
Read the full article here