Route Approved for Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar

Construction on the Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar could begin as soon as 2018.

1 minute read

December 6, 2016, 7:00 AM PST

By Elana Eden


L.A. Streetcar

Artist's Rendering / Los Angeles Streetcar

The environmental impact study for the Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar, as well as a preferred route, received unanimous approval from the Los Angeles City Council.

The 3.8-mile route includes stops to popular sites like historic Broadway, Grand Central Market, and Grand Park—connecting the Civic Center with the Fashion District in South Park.

Streetcars were once a dominant mode of transportation in Los Angeles; this revival of the historic transit system has been making its way to fruition since 2011. Construction is slated to begin in 2018 and be completed in 2020.

Estimated to cost $282 million, the project will receive $200 million in funding from Measure M—the sales tax approved by county voters this month—as well as funding from the previous sales tax, Measure R. The city also plans to apply for federal grants and seek public-private partnerships to manage the streetcar during construction and once it is built.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016 in Studio City Patch

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

30 minutes ago - Investopedia

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company