Los Angeles, California – The Southeast Gateway Metro Line, set to connect several predominantly Latino cities suffering from poor air quality due to nearby highways and industrial activities, is nearing a crucial milestone. The planning and programming committee of Metro has recommended that the entire board approve the final environmental impact report for this project, which will extend from Artesia to the Slauson Avenue station on the A Line (formerly the Blue Line), and later, it will reach north to downtown Los Angeles.
Read also: University of Southern California faces backlash over graduation speaker decision
The decision from the Metro board is expected next Thursday. A favorable vote would initiate the design and engineering phase of the project, which officially started in early 2022. Previously known as the West Santa Ana Branch, this line follows a route that was part of the Pacific Electric rail corridor, which ceased operations in the late 1950s.
In January, the project was renamed the Southeast Gateway Line following a public naming initiative. This new name represents the “Gateway Cities” in southeast L.A. County that the line will cater to, including cities like Vernon, Huntington Park, Bell, Cudahy, South Gate, Downey, Paramount, Bellflower, Cerritos, and Artesia. Except for Artesia and Cerritos, these cities are primarily Latino, consisting of working-class populations who face significant air pollution from industrial sources and heavy traffic. Many in these communities depend on public transport.
Read also: Rick Caruso challenges mayor’s homelessness initiative in Los Angeles
Metro’s information indicates that the 98-square-mile area the Southeast Gateway Line will serve is highly frequented by travelers, with 44% of its population living below the poverty line and 18% of households lacking access to a car, underscoring a high demand for public transit. L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who is on the Metro board alongside other county supervisors, applauded the progress on the environmental report. She noted that the light rail line would help overcome transportation challenges in Southeast L.A. County.
“Once the Southeast Gateway Line comes to fruition, residents from the region, many of them essential workers, will finally have direct and quick access to Downtown Los Angeles,” Solis said.
Read also: Brightline West to commence construction on Las Vegas to California rail connection
However, completion of the rail line is still a long way off, with an expected finish date in 2035. The initial segment from Artesia to the A Line at Slauson Avenue is projected to cost between $7 billion and $9 billion. This includes funding from Measure M.Top of Form
