On Friday, Oct. 7, officials from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority joined community leaders, supporters and residents at the Metro Leimert Park Station to officially open the K Line, the seventh rail line in the County.
The $2.1 billion line represents Metro’s single largest transportation investment in the South Los Angeles region since the construction of the A Line (Blue) and C Line (Green) more than 20 years ago.
The K Line will provide transit service to seven new stations in South L.A., including the Crenshaw Corridor, Hyde Park, Leimert Park, Fairview Heights, Inglewood and Westchester, and was the ambition of city leaders since the formation of Metro in 1993. Previous officials supporting the line’s construction included Mayor Tom Bradley, Rep. Julian Dixon, Rep. Maxine Waters, Ambassador Diane Watson and Supervisor Yvonne-Braithwaite-Burke.
“Today, we’re fulfilling a dream that started with Mayor Tom Bradley and was carried on for decades by countless community leaders and elected officials: world-class public transportation in South Los Angeles,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti.
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L.A. Metro to Open New K Line Light Rail Line on October 7, Offer Free Rides on Entire Metro System October 7-9
L.A. Metro Hosts Dedication Celebration to Showcase Crenshaw/LAX Leimert Park Station Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins Intends to Build a Progressive and Inclusive Metro for L.A.
Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins Intends to Build a Progressive and Inclusive Metro for L.A.
From Board First Vice President Chair Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, this statement: “The K Line fulfills a long-awaited promise to the community, and ushers in a new era of equitable transportation investment that connects the Crenshaw Corridor and Inglewood residents to convenient, fast, reliable and low-cost rail transit. What’s more, it will provide a new gateway to jobs, education, and healthcare for our communities that need it the most.”
Meanwhile, Inglewood Mayor and Metro Board Member James T. Butts said, “With the K Line opening, Inglewood will now have three light rail stations in the City of Champions that will link residents and patrons to The Kia Forum, Sofi Stadium and soon, Intuit Dome, the future home of the Los Angeles Clippers”, he said.
By 2024, Metro will complete a new station to connect the K Line with Los Angeles International Airport via its People Mover to airport terminals, finally providing a direct transit connection to one of the world’s busiest airports for the first time. Connecting Metro Rail directly with LAX will be critical for both domestic and international travelers attending the 2028 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
The K Line was designed and built with the help of community input and local voices, and was the first project to employ Metro’s Board-approved small business mitigation programs: the Business Interruption Fund, Business Solution Center and Eat, Shop, Play. These programs helped to support small businesses in the corridor during construction.
“We’re eternally grateful to the area’s residents and businesses for hosting us in the community during a long and technically complex construction period”, said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “I know the K Line will be well used and well loved by these communities and the rest of Los Angeles County for decades to come”, she said.
L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Member Holly J. Mitchell added, “South L.A. fought hard for decades for the Crenshaw Line, and today they reap the benefits of their patience”, she said.
Metro anticipates the line will carry more than 32,000 daily boardings by the year 2035. During this time, ridership is expected to continue to grow once Metro’s new Regional Connector line opens to the public early next year.
Grammy award-winning music and fashion icon Dr. Jody Watley officiated Metro’s ceremony. “I was thrilled to be a part of this historic opening of Metro’s K Line,” she said. “The day was very special for me. I am a local to this area. I attended and graduated from Dorsey High School, which is just minutes from the new station. “I’m looking for a new line, baby; the K Line — yeah, yeah, YEAH!”, she sang.
The line was largely funded by local tax dollars. Metro’s Measure R transportation sales tax measure was approved by voters back in 2008.
For more information, visit https://kline.metro.net .
