Eastside Transit Corridor

Eastside Transit Corridor

Company type	Public transit project
Industry	Public transportation
Headquarters	Los Angeles , United States
Area served	Los Angeles County, California
Products	Light rail transit service
Owner	Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The Eastside Transit Corridor is a planned light rail extension designed to link Downtown Los Angeles with East Los Angeles, with future plans to stretch further southeast into the Gateway Cities. This initiative continues from the relocated Atlantic station heading toward a proposed Lambert station located in Whittier. It is incorporated as part of the Los Angeles Metro Rail E Line network.

Phase 1

The initial phase extended the former Gold Line southeastward from Los Angeles Union Station to the Atlantic station in East Los Angeles via a newly established right-of-way. This 6-mile segment of light rail commenced operations on November 15, 2009, with an investment totaling $898 million.

Overview of Phase 2

For the Gold Line Eastside Rail Extension, Los Angeles Metro assessed two potential routes, estimating a total expenditure of approximately $6.0 billion and targeting completion by 2057. Funded through Measure M, the project is structured for phased implementation. Planning efforts were informed by Metro’s 2009 Final Alternatives Analysis and the 2014 Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report. In February 2020, the Metro Board resolved to advance exclusively with the Washington Boulevard alignment, discontinuing consideration of the SR 60 and combined alternatives, although SR 60 remains a prospective option for future evaluation. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2029, with service commencement projected for 2035, potentially expedited under the Twenty-eight by '28 program.

Following the June 16, 2023 completion of the Regional Connector Transit Project, Metro merged the L Line segment east of Downtown Los Angeles into the E Line, which now adopts gold color designation. This integration facilitates direct travel to Santa Monica and convenient downtown transfers.

In 2022, Metro proposed a phased build-out approach starting with extending service to Greenwood Avenue in Montebello while continuing to study full extension possibilities to Whittier contingent upon funding availability.

Proposed routings and modes of Phase 2

Initially, the Transit Corridor Project was envisioned as a light rail route running along Washington Boulevard. During its Initial Operating Study, Metro examined three alternatives: one following California State Route 60, another along Washington Boulevard (the original Whittier extension concept), and a combined route serving both corridors. These options would link communities including Montebello, Commerce, Pico Rivera, Monterey Park, South El Monte, South San Gabriel, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, and ultimately Whittier east of Los Angeles County. All routes originate at the E Line's Atlantic station and proceed eastward.

Metro has since removed the SR 60 Freeway and combined route alternatives from further consideration, concentrating efforts on advancing the Washington Boulevard alignment. The extension also includes plans for a new maintenance facility.

Alternatives	Alignments	New trips (daily)	Estimated cost (billions)
Alternative 1: LRT	SR-60 Alternative	TBD	TBD
Alternative 2: LRT	Washington Boulevard Alternative	TBD	TBD
Alternative 3: LRT	Combined Alternative	TBD	TBD

During its Initial Operating Segment analysis, Metro identified that Alternatives 1 and 3 would interfere with anticipated SR 60 expansion plans and necessitate property acquisition for maintenance yard development due to insufficient available land. Consequently, in February 2020, staff recommended focusing solely on Alternative 2—the Washington Boulevard route—eliminating consideration of both Alternatives 1 and 3. The agency will prioritize advancing this corridor moving forward.

Route selection: Alternative 2

Estimated opening	Station	City/Area	Remarks
2035	Template:LAMs	East Los Angeles	Scheduled for relocation.
	Atlantic/Whittier
	Commerce/Citadel	Commerce	Located next to Citadel Outlets.
	Greenwood	Montebello
Undetermined	Rosemead	Pico Rivera
	Norwalk	Whittier
	Lambert

On April 25, 2024, Metro issued the final version of the environmental impact report (EIR), awaiting approval from the board. Metro is concurrently seeking approval under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to obtain federal funding. The Metro board officially approved the final EIR on May 23, 2024.

External links

• Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2
• Measure R