1. What is the K Line Extension to Torrance Project? 
The K Line Extension to Torrance (previously referred to as C Line Extension) will extend light rail service 4.5-miles from the Redondo Beach (Marine) Station to the Torrance Transit Center with two new stations. The project travels through the cities of Lawndale, Redondo Beach, and Torrance. While previously envisioned as an extension of the C Line, it would operate as the southern portion of the Metro K Line with direct connections to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Metro C and E Lines. Metro initiated environmental review for the project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) with public scoping the 2021, following prior planning studies that helped refine the project scope over time leading up to project approval and certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in January 2026. 

2. What are the primary benefits of this extension? 
The project is a critical connection between the South Bay and expanding regional rail network, creating a fast, reliable alternative to driving. The extension will provide a 19- minute trip from Torrance to LAX with easy rail transfers to the Metro C and E Lines. The project is estimated to serve 4.9 million trips a year and attract 1.7 million new riders to the system. By attracting riders to the transit network, the project takes cars off the road with an annual reduction of roughly 14.9 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), which helps reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy use. In addition to the environmental benefits, the project has significant regional economic benefits.  It is projected to generate 15,000 jobs and produce approximately $16 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) over a 20-year operating period. 

3. What stage is the project in? 
Metro has completed environmental review for the K Line Extension to Torrance project under CEQA. This is a major milestone for the project, following decades of planning studies culminating in the 2023 Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), 2025 Final EIR, and certification of the EIR by the Metro Board of Directors (Metro Board) on January 22, 2026. As part of the action to certify the EIR, the Metro Board voted to select the Hawthorne Option as the project route to advance into further engineering and design. 

4. What is the Hawthorne Option? 
The Hawthorne Option extends the K Line south of the existing Redondo Beach (Marine) Station. It leaves the Metro Right-of-Way (ROW) to run along Interstate 405 (I-405), then turns onto Hawthorne Boulevard near 162nd Street to travel in the median of the street before returning the Metro ROW south of 190th Street to continue south to Torrance. The project will be fully grade-separated from all roadways with an elevated light rail guideway supported by columns and straddle bents. An elevated station will be located in the median of Hawthorne Boulevard, adjacent to the South Bay Galleria, south of Artesia Blvd. The terminus station will be located at-grade at the Torrance Transit Center, adjacent to the bus plaza for easy bus/rail transfers and other first/last mile connections. 

5. Will the project connect Torrance to LAX?  
Yes. The extension will connect to the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, where riders can transfer to the airport’s People Mover system for a direct connection to the terminals. 

6. Why was the Hawthorne Option selected by the Board? 
The Hawthorne alignment was selected by the Metro Board based on its strong ridership, access to the South Bay Galleria and Hawthorne Blvd. commercial corridor, and to directly address substantive community feedback regarding concerns with light rail traveling along the Metro ROW in a shared freight corridor near residential neighborhoods. 

By locating stations within an established commercial corridor, the Hawthorne Option places transit within walking distance of existing jobs, retail, and the South Bay Galleria redevelopment, which includes plans for 650 new housing units. 

7. Will the Hawthorne Option require additional environmental review? 
Metro will need to work with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Caltrans to obtain federal clearance for a longitudinal encroachment permit for a portion of the rail alignment that would be constructed and operate within the I-405 corridor. Additionally, Metro would need Caltrans approvals for a segment of the project that is located in the median of Hawthorne Boulevard (State Route 107), which is currently under Caltrans jurisdiction. 

8. How much does the Hawthorne Option cost? How is the project funded? 
The Hawthorne Option construction cost estimate is $3.44B, which includes baseline construction costs (e.g. materials, labor, equipment, professional services) in 2025$, ~40% contingency to account for unknown and known risks, and escalation. This cost estimate is based on an early stage of design (15%). The project team will return to the Board with further refined cost estimates based on site investigations and more detailed design and engineering. At this stage, Metro has secured approximately $1.4M for construction, including Measure R and M funds, as well as state grants (42% of project costs). With project approval under CEQA, Metro will pursue additional local and state funds to close the approximately $2B gap.

9. When is the soonest the Project would open? 
Metro prepared a high-level construction schedule based on early engineering (15% design). If fully funded, Metro estimates the project would open in December 2036. Given that the project has a funding gap, as part of the next phase of work, Metro will explore phasing concepts and identify early works construction activities to tackle high risk areas and manage cost and schedule while it secures additional funding. Staff will return to the Metro Board upon completion of 30% design to share updated costs, schedule, and delivery plans to implement the project based on available funding. 

10. How long is construction anticipated to last? 
Metro anticipates 5 to 7 years of construction if the project were to be fully funded and constructed in a single continuous phase. However, given that there is a funding gap, Metro will explore phasing plans to advance project activities with current funding in place and to manage costs as part of the next phase of work. 

11. How will Metro engage businesses along the Hawthorne Boulevard corridor during design and construction? 
As part of the next phase of work, Metro will engage businesses and stakeholders along the corridor within the cities of Lawndale, Redondo Beach, and Torrance to share project updates, build project awareness, and develop strategies for future construction to minimize potential impacts. Metro is committed to supporting businesses during construction through its Business Interruption Fund and Eat, Shop, Play Program. This commitment was memorialized at the January 22, 2026 Metro Board meeting, through a motion led by L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Member Holly Mitchell, Board Member Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Pomona Mayor and Metro Board Member Tim Sandoval, and Inglewood Mayor and Metro Board Member James T. Butts to help mitigate potential impacts to businesses. 

12. What will happen to the Metro-owned ROW now that the Hawthorne Option has been approved? 
Portions of the Metro-owned ROW are needed for the project alignment, primarily south of 190th Street where the project terminates in Torrance. The portion of the ROW between Inglewood Avenue and 190th Street that is no longer required due to approval of the Hawthorne Option will remain Metro property. BNSF maintains operating rights along the Metro ROW and multiple utility companies have lease and license agreements for their infrastructure. Metro will evaluate potential future uses for that portion of the ROW – led by Metro’s Real Estate Asset Management team – through a separate process from the K Line Extension to Torrance project. Any future action would involve appropriate review, third party and stakeholder engagement, and, if applicable, Metro Board consideration.