7.1B Southeast Gateway Line Greenlit by Metro Board

The Los Angeles Metro board of directors has unanimously approved a plan for the initial phase of the Southeast Gateway Line, a light rail extension stretching 14.5 miles to Artesia, with an estimated cost of $7.1 billion. This approval, alongside the project's Environmental Impact Assessment, should help in securing federal funding. The project's capital cost is estimated at $4.9 to $5.1 billion, with service set to commence in 2033.

Metro officials are optimistic about securing a full funding grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration next year, leveraging $2 billion in already committed local and state funds. This phase of the Southeast Gateway Line will connect the A Line's Slauson station in the Florence-Firestone community to a future Pioneer Station in Artesia. This project is part of a broader $7.1 billion, 19.3-mile light rail corridor slated for completion by 2053, including a study to explore connections from Slauson/A Line to Union Station.

“No more waiting and wondering, this project will go forward,” said LA Supervisor and Metro Board Vice Chair Janice Hahn, in a statement. “The era of Southeast LA and the Gateway Cities being left behind by new Metro rail projects is over. The cities along the line are ready, future riders are ready, and now we can finally get to work building this transformational project.”

Alongside the EIS approval, Metro issued a Request for Proposals seeking a contract manager/general contractor for site clearance, demolition, hazardous soil abatement, utility adjustments, and freight relocation. Metro plans to award the contract in November, one of several packages for project delivery, including design engineering, program management, and light rail system construction.

Upon completion in 2033, the Southeast Gateway Line will feature nine stations, park and ride facilities, and a maintenance and storage facility, with the majority of the route at-grade. Metro anticipates a significant economic boost from the project, estimating 37,000 to 46,000 jobs created during construction and operation, along with $5 billion in annual economic activity. Once fully operational, the line will serve 1.4 million residents, connecting Union Station in Downtown LA to Artesia via various cities in the region.

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