Tomorrow, the Metro board Planning and Programming Committee looks to approve a plan for the C Line light rail extension from Redondo Beach to Torrance. The proposal [staff report] selects a relatively cost-effective alignment running in existing Metro-owned rail right-of-way that currently carries infrequent freight train traffic.
Metro's C Line Extension project would extend about four miles in and along the South Bay cities of Lawndale, Redondo Beach, and Torrance. The project is included in the voter-approved Measure M sales tax plan. Though polling shows regional support for the extension, it has encountered significant resistance from some locals, including neighbors along the right-of-way and some governmental leaders.
![](https://lede-admin.la.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2024/04/23-2292_map_8.5x11_CLET_TRG_jk_final-scaled-1.jpg?w=710)
Early on, Metro had proposed the extension run at grade (as current freight traffic operates) with limited aerial stretches. Metro also studied more costly alternatives that would run in a trench, or (as the opposition urges) run somewhere else - namely along the 405 Freeway and Hawthorne Bouelvard.
![](https://lede-admin.la.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2023/09/MetroCLinealternatives2023Sept.jpg?w=710)
This week, the board will vote on approving a "Locally Preferred Alternative" that has been termed the "Hybrid" alternative; it's a hybrid of the original mostly at-grade version, with two short trench sections.
As shown in the above image, the selected hybrid alternative cost is relatively low ($2.2 billion) compared to a full trench ($2.8 billion) or Hawthorne Boulevard ($3 billion). The hybrid costs more than Metro's mostly at-grade alignment ($1.9 billion); for that added cost, it adds two grade separations, which improve safety, travel time, and reliability.
![](https://lede-admin.la.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2024/04/MetroCLinehybridslide2024.jpg?w=710)
![](https://lede-admin.la.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2024/04/Clinevidcapture.png?w=710)
Some neighbors will likely continue to express opposition, but selecting the sensible cost-effective hybrid alternative should help this oft-delayed rail extension move a step closer to reality.
Post modified 4/17 - added Metro presentation slide