Considering the Legacy of the Metro Green Line after 25 Years of Service

Steve Hymon isn't exactly celebrating the recent 25th anniversary of the completion of the Metro C (Green) Line, the Redondo Beach/Norwalk connector running along the center of the 105 freeway. According to Hymon, there's simply not a cause to celebrate, looking back:

It was built as part of the controversial 105 freeway project and ― let’s be honest ― would likely not be built the same way today. There were a range of racial injustices and environmental issues, including: 1) the bulldozing of low-income, communities of color for the freeway, and 2) making the train hard to reach by sticking mostly to the middle of a busy freeway.

Acknowledging the destuctive history of the C Line, Hymon's article tells the story of Los Angeles area highways and the infamous difficulties associated with them. Despite the fraught nature of the C Line's origin story, the Line has served as a resource for millions of riders over the past 25 years. Moreover, several projects and plans are being undertaken to improve the Green Line, reminds Hymon. 

Hymon's biggest gripe: "the C Line has a station just south of LAX but doesn’t actually connect to the airport." The Crenshaw/LAX Line, expected to open in 2021 will solve that issue, introducing a connection to the C Line.

While the history of the C Line isn't something to commemorate, Hymon concedes that it's years of service and forthcoming improvements are bright spots when looking back at a 25-year legacy.