K Line Extension to Torrance

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. 

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. 

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. 

The Hawthorne Option studied in the C Line Extension Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The alignment extends the K Line south of the existing Redondo Beach (Marine) Station and leaves the Metro ROW to run along Interstate 405 (I-405) and turns onto Hawthorne Boulevard near 162nd Street to travel in the center median of the street before rejoining the Metro ROW south of 190th Street. The project alignment would be fully grade-separated from all roadways. A station would be located in the median of Hawthorne Boulevard, adjacent to the South Bay Galleria. South of 190th Street, the alignment turns southeast to run in the Metro ROW and terminates with a station at the Torrance Transit Center. 

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. 

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.