L.A. Metro to begin environmental process for West Santa Ana rail line

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will host a public scoping meeting tomorrow to initiate environmental studies for the proposed West Santa Ana Branch light-rail line.

The event will be the first of four meetings held in preparation of a draft environmental statement and environmental impact report, Metro officials said in a press release.

Metro officials will provide information about the 20-mile light-rail line and solicit ideas. The proposed branch would connect downtown Los Angeles to southeast Los Angeles County.

The project area is home to 1.2 million residents, but the population is expected to grow to 1.5 million people by 2040. The rail line would help provide relief to constrained transportation systems available in the area, Metro officials said in a project summary.

In September 2016, Metro selected Parsons Brinckheroff Inc. to complete the environmental clearance for the project. The agency also chose Arellano Associates LLC to conduct community outreach for the West Santa Ana Branch line.