The city of Torrance is urging Los Angeles County Metro Board members to reject a proposed extension of the Metro K Line that would run about 4.5 miles to the Torrance Transit Center, arguing the plan would cause significant economic harm and add hundreds of millions of dollars in costs.
City officials say the proposed Hawthorne Boulevard Alternative would “devastate the regional economy,” increase taxpayer costs by nearly $800 million and disrupt the South Bay’s primary commercial gateway.
Instead, Torrance supports Metro staff’s recommended Hybrid Locally Preferred Alternative for the C/K Line Extension to Torrance, a project intended to provide a direct rail connection to the South Bay while minimizing impacts on residents, businesses and regional mobility.
“For decades, L.A. Metro had the vision to improve mobility and reduce congestion by extending light rail incrementally,” Torrance Mayor George K. Chen said in a statement. “The Hybrid Locally Preferred Alternative along the existing Metro right-of-way is the most practical and common-sense approach, offering the shortest construction schedule and lowest cost. This path has the least impact on the South Bay, avoids negative effects on businesses and residents, and builds on prior investments to deliver real benefits to our communities sooner rather than later.”…