Targeting Another Gap in the System, L.A. Metro Looks to Expand Eastward

With plans for a new ballot measure this year to extend the Measure R half-cent sales tax to fund transportation projects, transit advocates are seeking to close another gap in Los Angeles' growing transportation system. Dan Weikel of the Los Angeles Times reports that a plan to study extending the Metro Green Line, which now terminates at the 605 freeway, 2.8 miles to the Norwalk MetroLink station, has earned the backing of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and officials at the city or Norwalk, among others.

Currently, riders wishing to connect between the Green Line terminus and the Norwalk station must catch a bus, with rides taking between 20-25 minutes. Closing the gap would allow riders from the Inland Empire and Orange County to connect via rail to LAX and other locations in West LA County.

Developing a fully integrated rail system to encourage transit ridership has become a higher priority. A Green Line link to LAX is planned, and there's the potential for bullet trains from the California high-speed rail project to use the Norwalk-Santa Fe Springs station.

Renee Berlin, Metro's managing executive for countywide planning and development, noted, however, that much needs to be done before the extension becomes a viable project. Although it is always good to close gaps in the transit system, she said, there is not much to the proposal yet and its inclusion in Measure R "is only hypothetical currently."