L.A.'s Plan for Vermont Ave: BRT in 2024, Rail in 2067

Anyone hoping for rail transit down one of Los Angeles' busiest transit corridors will have to wait awhile.

2 minute read

March 19, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Vermont BRT

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Vermont BRT Proposed Concept 1

When Los Angeles voters approved Measure M in 2016, they provided some funding for a planned bus rapid transit (BRT) route down 12.4 miles of the very busy Vermont Avenue corridor. That project is scheduled to begin in 2024 and open by 2028, if complete funding construction is acquired before then.

Now, however, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is making plans to turn that BRT project into a light rail route in the very distant future.

"A report to be given this week to the Metro Board's Planning and Programming sheds light on how an as-of-yet unbuilt bus rapid transit line on Vermont Avenue could be converted into a rail line in the distant year of 2067," reports Steven Sharp.

The report studies rail transit as an option and comes up with three options, explains Sharp:

  • Center-running light rail transit - similar to the Blue Line - with below-grade between operations between Wilshire/Vermont Station in Koreatown and Gage Avenue, where trains would proceed to an at-grade alignment within a wide center median to 120th Street;
  • An extension of the Red Line starting at the corner of Vermont and 3rd Street, continuing south in a fully below-grade alignment to 120th Street; and
  • A standalone heavy rail line starting at Wilshire/Vermont Station and proceeding below-grade to 120th Street.

In current construction costs, these projects would require between $4.4 billion on the cheap end and $8.4 billion on the expensive end. In 2067 costs, that would be $21.1 billion and $34.7 billion.

The largest impediment to any new transit on Vermont Avenue is funding, according to Sharp. Even the BRT project only has $25 million in funding from the Measure M total.

For insight into the importance of Vermont Avenue in the Los Angeles regional transit system, see an opinion written by Alon Levy in early 2018.

Monday, March 18, 2019 in Urbanize.LA

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of Donald Shoup during interview.

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86

Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

February 10, 2025 - StreetsBlog NYC

Close-up of smartphone with USDOT website pulled up and screen with USDOT logo in background.

DOT Memo Directs Transportation Funding to Communities With Higher Marriage and Birth Rates, Compliance with Immigration Officials and No Mask Mandates

The memo ties immigration enforcement to federal funding and prohibits mask or vaccine mandates.

February 5, 2025 - Huffpost

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

February 11, 2025 - Mother Jones

Aerial view of Kapi'olani Community College in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Community Colleges: A Pathway for Native Hawaiian Achievement and Growth

The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges provide Native Hawaiian students with transformative educational experiences, integrating academic success, cultural identity, and strong community support to help them find purpose and thrive.

February 14 - University of Hawai'i News

Los Angeles, California skyline against mountains at sunset.

Building Resilient Communities: Insights from the LA County Cities Summit

The Los Angeles County Cities Summit convened local leaders to share strategies for advancing sustainability, addressing climate resilience, extreme heat, and other pressing environmental challenges through policy and community-driven solutions.

February 14 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Green Flixbus bus parked on street in Los Angeles, California with palm trees and Hollywood buildings in background on sunny day.

Intercity Bus Ridership Grows Despite Service Cuts

Passengers continue to rely on intercity bus lines, even as cities shutter bus terminals and bus companies restructure to avoid financial failure.

February 14 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.