Metro K Line Northern Extension: Frequently Asked Questions

PROJECT OVERVIEW & STATUS

What is the K Line Northern Extension Project?
The K Line Northern Extension (KNE) project would extend rail service from the Metro Expo/Crenshaw Station north to the Metro D Line (Purple) stations currently under construction on Wilshire Bl, the Metro B Line (Red) at Hollywood/Highland Station, and potentially to the Hollywood Bowl. It would serve many communities, including the LAX area, South Los Angeles, Inglewood, South Bay, the Crenshaw Corridor, Mid-City, Central Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and Hollywood, allowing for further connections to points north in the San Fernando Valley via the Metro B Line (Red). This project would improve connectivity with Metro’s rail and bus network by linking four Metro Rail lines and six of the top 10 busiest bus lines in LA County. KNE would also connect major destinations, such as population, activity, and employment centers. The project is located in the cities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood.

What are the Project objectives?
The Project aims to:

Leverage the high-volume east-west rail network to provide new north-south connections and close a regional network gap
Increase the efficiency and convenience of transit trips by providing faster and more direct service
Reduce how far and how often people need to drive (Vehicle Miles Traveled), which helps cut down on greenhouse gas emissions
Maximize access to jobs, housing, and opportunity
Improve mobility for transit-dependent residents

PROJECT BENEFITS
What are the anticipated benefits of the K Line Northern Extension Project?
The project would close a gap in the regional rail network and, when fully built, would connect to the Metro Rail C, E, D, and B Lines, creating a rapid and reliable north/south transit option through the central part of LA County. The project would serve major employment and activity centers and expand access for many Equity-Focused Communities. By improving mobility options, the project will help to reduce auto dependence in the region, reducing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy use.

The KNE Project would:

Expand mobility with a fast rail option: providing ~47,100 to 59,600 daily trips,
Attract new transit riders: serving ~11,400 to 15,100 new riders daily,
Reduce auto use: approximately 127,500-135,500 vehicle miles traveled daily, and
Create jobs: estimated 8,600 to 10,400 jobs during construction

What is the current status of the Project?
Metro is leading the planning and environmental review for the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As part of this effort, Metro prepared and released a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for public review in July 2024. Metro hosted three public hearings and a community meeting during the 60-day public comment period and received approximately 1,300 public comments on various topics ranging from support for project and alignment preferences to questions about design, funding, schedule, and overall concerns.

During the Draft EIR comment period, Metro received a disproportionate number of concerns from residents of historic neighborhoods in Mid-City, specifically Wellington Square and Lafayette Square, where the Draft EIR proposed a single tunnel alignment that would travel below homes. Mid-City residents raised questions and concerns regarding the tunnel alignment, tunnel safety and potential building damage to older homes, as well as impacts on property rights and property values.

To address community questions and concerns regarding the Draft EIR alignment in Mid-City, the Metro Board authorized additional funding in October 2024, to conduct further analysis and engagement. In addition to reports on tunnel safety and potential property value impacts from tunneling, Metro has prepared a Mid-City Additional Alignment Analysis. The Mid-City Additional Alignment Analysis evaluates potential alternate alignment options in Mid-City that may reduce the number of homes a tunnel would travel under without compromising transit service quality.

This summer, Metro will share findings and gather input from the community to receive feedback to help inform the staff recommendation to the Metro Board on a preferred route and next steps.

DECISION-MAKING & NEXT STEPS
Who decides what route (alignment/option) will be selected? What information will be used to make this decision?
The Metro Board is the decision maker for all Metro projects and will be asked to select a locally preferred alternative, called the LPA. Metro staff will make a recommendation to the Metro Board based on multiple factors, including the environmental impact findings from the Draft EIR, project objectives, technical analysis, benefits, costs, and community support and feedback.

FUNDING & TIMELINE
How would the Project be funded?
The project has $2.24 billion from Measure M, a half-cent sales tax that funds several transportation projects/programs. The value of these funds increases with inflation. The funding identified in Measure M is not enough to construct the project. Measures M funds become available in 2041, which marks the earliest possible date for construction to begin barring additional funding sources. Metro will continue working with project stakeholders to explore additional funding sources.

When would the Project open?
As noted above, Measure M funds become available for construction in 2041 with a goal of opening between 2047 and 2049. The construction schedule would vary based on the alignment selected by the Metro Board, funding availability, phasing, and the construction delivery approach.

Could the Project be accelerated?
Local efforts are underway to explore and identify additional funding and financing strategies that could allow the Project to break ground before the Measure M date of 2041. Project acceleration would require approval by the Metro Board and actions taken per the Measure M Early Project Delivery Strategy. See information here: https://www.metro.net/about/early-project-deliver.

Will the project be constructed in phases, and if so, what is the planned sequence of construction?
Given the project scale and length, the project would likely be constructed in sections, with an initial section connecting to the K Line to the Metro D Line at Wilshire Bl. The total number of phases to reach the B Line in Hollywood and the optional Hollywood Bowl Station would be based on alignment length, cost, funding availability, and sufficient sites to launch tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that drill the underground tunnels for the rail line.

Most Metro Rail projects are constructed in phases or sections. Each section is estimated to take between 10 to 12 years. There is possibility for multiple sections to be constructed concurrently based on funding availability and construction approach. A current example of this is the Metro D Line Extension between Koreatown and Westwood, which is an underground subway being constructed in three sections with staggered sections under construction.

PUBLIC INPUT & ENGAGEMENT
How does Metro notify the community about the Project?
Metro notifies the community about the Project, community events, and public meetings in a variety of methods depending on the upcoming meeting or update, which may include email, door-to-door flyers, direct mailing, Project website updates, bus ads, social media, Metro's The Source blog and local news media. The best method to stay up to date on the project is to join our email distribution list by signing up here.

Will my comments be shared with decision-makers?
All comments and feedback on the project during the environmental phase will be summarized in a project outreach report and published on Metro's website to be available to the public and decision-makers alike. Metro will share community feedback received with the Metro Board at all project milestones. These comments will be reviewed by the Metro team to inform the project development process.

How can I make my voice heard?
Community members can contact Metro at any time to share comments on project via:

Email at klinenorth@metro.net
Phone at (213) 418-3093
Mail: LA Metro, c/o Roger Martin, One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-22-5, Los Angeles, CA

How can I sign up for project updates?
Please sign up here or email klinenorth@metro.net to sign up for our newsletter.