PRESS RELEASE - CITY OF TORRANCE URGES METRO BOARD TO REJECT HAWTHORNE BOULE VARD OPTION FOR C/K LINE EXTENSION

Torrance, Calif., January 21, 2026 - With a critical Los Angeles Metro Board vote approaching Thursday, January 22, 2026, the City of Torrance is urging Board members to reject the last-minute counter-motion that would devastate the regional economy, costing taxpayers nearly $800 million more, crippling the South Bay's primary commercial gateway.

The City strongly supports Metro staff's recommended Hybrid Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the C/K Line Extension to Torrance, a long-planned project that would finally deliver a direct rail connection to the South Bay while minimizing impacts to residents, businesses, and regional mobility.

"For decades, L.A. Metro had the vision to improve mobility and reduce congestion by extending light rail incrementally. 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," said Torrance Mayor George K. Chen. "This path has the least impact on the South Bay as a whole, avoids negative effects on businesses and residents, and builds on prior investments to deliver real benefits to our communities sooner rather than later."

At an estimated $2.7 billion, the Hybrid LPA is nearly $800 million less than the proposed Hawthorne Boulevard Alternative, which carries a projected cost of $3.4 billion. The Hybrid LPA allows the project to be completed sooner, with an anticipated opening in March 2036 compared to December 2036 under the Hawthorne Boulevard option.

Torrance and neighboring South Bay cities represent one of the largest economic and employment centers in Los Angeles County without a direct rail connection. Torrance is the third-highest sales tax-generating city in the county and home to Del Amo Fashion Center, the largest shopping center in the region and second largest in California, attracting visitor volumes comparable to Disneyland and generating billions of dollars in economic activity that support jobs, schools, and public services across the region.

Hawthorne Boulevard, the primary commercial gateway to this economic engine would face severe disruption under the proposed Hawthorne Boulevard Alternative, which calls for a fully elevated light rail alignment down the center of this critical corridor. Construction is estimated to last five to seven years, significantly restricting access to businesses and destinations that drive the regional economy.

City analysis indicates the Hawthorne Boulevard Alternative would place substantial public revenues at risk and impose significant additional costs. The projected fiscal impacts include:

• Nearly $800 million in added project costs, compared to the staff recommended Hybrid LPA
• Over $164 million annually in Los Angeles County sales tax revenue at risk
• Over $28 million annually in City of Torrance sales tax revenue at risk
• An estimated 70,000 daily vehicle trips disrupted along Hawthorne Boulevard

"These impacts extend far beyond Torrance," said City Manager Aram Chaparyan. "Torrance generates more sales tax revenue than nearly every other city in the county. When you disrupt Hawthorne Boulevard, the gateway to our shopping centers, auto dealers, and businesses, you don't just hurt Torrance, you hurt the schools and services across LA County that depend on that revenue. The staff recommended Hybrid LPA delivers the same transit benefits without this economic catastrophe."

The City of Torrance urges Los Angeles County Metro Board members to:

• Vote YES on Item 11 - Metro staff's recommended Hybrid Locally Preferred Alternative
• Vote NO on Item 11.1 - The Mitchell/Sandoval/Dupont-Walker counter-motion

The Metro Board meeting begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at One Gateway Plaza in Los Angeles. Public comments may be submitted by email to [email protected] or by calling 888-978-8818 during the meeting. For additional information, contact David Mach, Transit Planning Manager at [email protected].