LA Metro to study Gold Line eastern extension route

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (LA Metro) board last week approved further study of a potential route for an eastern extension of the Gold Line from its current terminus in eastern Los Angeles.

The route would follow both Atlantic Boulevard and Washington Boulevard to Whittier, California, with proposed stations in East L.A., Commerce, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Los Nietos, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier. The route includes an underground segment under Atlantic Boulevard and both street-level and aerial segments along Washington Boulevard.

To expedite the project's environmental study, the board approved discontinuing the federally required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process of the studies. NEPA is required to qualify the project for federal funding, however, LA Metro doesn’t anticipate receiving federal funding as other LA Metro projects are more likely to attract federal dollars, agency officials said. 

The agency will continue the state-required aspect of the studies.

The board also withdrew a route alternative alongside the SR-60 freeway to South El Monte, as well a route between Whittier and South El Monte due to environmental and engineering challenges.

The eastern extension is part of LA Metro’s $6 billion Eastside Transit Corridor project scheduled in two funding phases in 2029 and 2053.

Also last week, the board awarded a $29 million contract to RideCo Inc. to provide an on-demand shared ride service in six service zones in Los Angeles County starting in summer 2020.

Additionally, the board approved nearly $8 million to fund operational expenses and to hire 80 vehicle operators for the on-demand service.