LA Metro Progresses Planned C Line Extension to Torrance

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) has released the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the planned extension of the C Line to Torrance, a project intended to expand rail service deeper into the South Bay.

The proposed extension would run from the Metro K Line’s Redondo Beach (Marine) station to the Torrance Transit Center, adding approximately 4.5 miles of new track. Once completed, it is projected to provide a 19-minute journey between Torrance and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Funding for the scheme comes in part from voter-approved Measures R and M.

Construction could begin in 2027, with passenger service anticipated to start in 2036.

Metro Board Chair and Whittier City Council Member Fernando Dutra said:

This project represents a major step forward for the South Bay and for the entire Metro system. By extending rail service to Torrance, we are giving more Angelenos access to good jobs, faster commutes and cleaner air. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with our community partners to ensure that this project best serves the needs of the community now and for generations to come.

The FEIR incorporates more than 2,000 public comments and sets out design refinements, corrections, and clarifications. Metro has also published updated cost estimates and details on property acquisitions needed for the extension.

A dedicated website has been launched to provide easier access to the report. It includes answers to frequently asked questions and a short video outlining the process and next steps.

In May 2024, the Metro Board selected the Hybrid Alternative, also referred to as the Locally Preferred Alternative. This alignment uses Metro’s existing Harbour Subdivision right-of-way and combines elevated, at-grade, and trench sections. Trenches will be constructed under crossings at 170th Street and 182nd Street to reduce noise, improve safety, and avoid delays for road users.

Metro also plans upgrades to an existing freight line, aiming to create a quieter and safer rail corridor. Using Metro-owned land allows the route to limit property impacts while addressing cost and community concerns.

The extension would introduce two new stations in Redondo Beach and Torrance. Forecasts suggest it could generate more than 11,500 daily trips, attract up to 1.49 million additional riders each year, and reduce vehicle travel on local roads by about 19.5 million miles annually.

By 2045, employment in the South Bay is projected to grow faster than the local population, with road congestion expected to rise by nearly 30 percent. Metro says the extension offers additional transport capacity while linking residents to major destinations such as SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater, Kia Forum, Intuit Dome, LAX, and central Los Angeles.

Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said:

The C Line Extension to Torrance is about connecting people and places. It will allow riders to travel between LAX and Torrance via rail, link local communities to our expanding transit system and provide a faster, more reliable alternative to sitting in traffic.

The Metro Board of Directors is scheduled to consider certification of the FEIR and project approval this autumn. If approved, Metro will proceed with design, engineering, and planning for local access improvements before construction.