Metro Advances Transit Access in the South Bay with Approval of the Hawthorne Boulevard Route for Extending the C Line to Torrance

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — More than 40 years after voters first envisioned a rail connection to the South Bay with the passage of Proposition A, today, this vision significantly advanced with unanimous support from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors, to approve Metro Board Director, Holly J. Mitchell’s motion – coauthored with Directors Tim Sandoval, James Butts, and Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, to approve the final Environmental Impact Report and select the Hawthorne Boulevard alignment option for extending the existing C Line light rail. The 4.5-mile extension of the C Line will create a single ride from the Expo Line to LAX and into the South Bay, reaching the cities of Redondo Beach, Lawndale and Torrance.

Director Holly J. Mitchell, who represents Los Angeles County’s Second District which includes the cities of Redondo Beach, Lawndale and several neighborhoods in the South Bay that will be served by the C Line extension shared, “Let me be clear, I’ve never tapped dance on this issue and have be consistent about ensuring transit reaches the South Bay, an area that has waited decades for fast, frequent, and reliable rail service. This has always been about fulfilling our responsibility and the voter mandate to expand transit access in the South Bay by selecting the best route for achieving this. The Hawthorne option presents the strongest opportunity to deliver lasting mobility, economic, and environmental benefits.”

Originally envisioned in 1980 through the passage of Proposition A, the C Line Extension has remained a significant regional investment for more than four decades. Voters reaffirmed their commitment by approving funding through Measures R (2008) and M (2016), and the Metro Board elevated the Project in 2019 as one of Metro’s Pillar projects.

Following an extensive environmental review and community engagement, Metro staff presented two primary alignments options: the Metro Right-of-Way (ROW) and Hawthorne Boulevard. The ROW option would impact 178 residential homes and require 17 temporary construction easements lasting more than six years. Residents living along the ROW raised serious concerns about proximity to homes, multi-year construction impacts, loss of green space, rail safety, utility and pipeline relocation, and potential exposure to contaminated soils.

The Hawthorne alignment addresses concerns raised by the ROW alignment option and enhances an established commercial corridor with approximately 170 commercial properties serving 350 businesses. It also connects directly to the South Bay Galleria redevelopment and existing bus service, offers stronger walk-up access, higher visibility, and greater ridership potential and prevents, prolonged construction impacts on residential neighborhoods adjacent to the ROW.

Chelsea Schreiber with the South Bay Environmental Justice Alliance shared “We’re genuinely excited to champion Hawthorne Boulevard because it’s a true win-win. It strengthens the community, brings long overdue revitalization to a corridor that needs it, and protects the environment at the same time.”

Fellow Metro Board Directors and co-authors of the motion for the Hawthorne alignment shared the following:

“It is an honor to celebrate this significant step forward for the South Bay with the Metro board’s decision to extend rail along Hawthorne Blvd. Today’s action highlights the importance of community voices in shaping vital infrastructure projects that will benefit the residents we serve for decades to come,” said Tim Sandoval

Inglewood Mayor James Butts shared, this project represents a promise made to South Bay voters more than 40 years ago. I support the Hawthorne alignment. As I said nearly two years ago, I believe the Hawthorne Alternative best addresses and serves the South Bay communities’ transportation needs. It’s important that we get this right and I think that’s the Hawthorne Alternative.”

Jacqueline Dupont-Walker stated, “I want to express my appreciation of the Metro staff for their community outreach and dedication to this important initiative and I want to thank Supervisor Mitchell for this motion. The Hawthorne option achieves transit expansion, while recognizing the strong concerns from communities. As we move forward with the making this happen in the near future, the courage and thoughtfulness demonstrated with the selection of the Hawthorne option will validate itself.”  

The Hawthorne Boulevard alignment has garnered broad local support as well. The city councils of Redondo Beach, Lawndale, Hawthorne, and Hermosa Beach have voted in favor of the alignment. Lawndale Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles stated “I appreciate Supervisor Mitchell’s commitment to collaboration, I’ve walked the alignment options alongside her and Metro staff. I will be a strong supporter of Lawndale doing all it can to assist with this project being completed expeditiously. I want to thank the Metro Board for its thoughtful deliberation and support of expanding transit access to the South Bay.”

And Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass added, “Today’s Metro Board decision confirms strong leadership and clear direction for the C Line extension,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “Supervisor Mitchell has championed the Hawthorne Boulevard option, and with the Board’s backing, we are honoring voter intent, listening to community voices, and delivering a long-promised investment for the South Bay. This project brings us closer to a one-seat ride connecting Los Angeles and the South Bay and will expand access to jobs, education, housing, and opportunity.”

Addressing Cost, Construction, and Business Impacts

While the Hawthorne Boulevard option carries a higher estimated cost, with more than 40 percent of funding already secured, the project is better positioned than many rail projects at the Final EIR stage to be completed.

The motion also:

• Establishes a Business Interruption Fund
• Expands Metro’s construction mitigation programs, including the Pilot Investment Fund
• Prioritizes coordination with Caltrans and local jurisdictions to streamline permitting