Regional Connector

Not to be confused with the Downtown Connector in Atlanta.

 Regional Connector Transit Project A Line E Line 
Map of the route of the Regional Connector
Overview
StatusOpen
OwnerLos Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
LocaleDowntown Los Angeles
Termini
Stations3
Websitemetro.net/connector
Service
TypeLight rail
SystemLos Angeles Metro Rail
ServicesA Line E Line 
History
OpenedJune 16, 2023; 16 months ago (2023-06-16)
Technical
Line length1.9 mi (3.1 km)
CharacterFully underground
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line, 750 V DC
Route map
Map A Line tunnel highlighted in blue, E Line tunnel in gold, shared tunnel in black
L Line  became A Line 
Amtrak Amtrak & Metrolink
 Union Station
AmtrakFlyAway (bus)Metrolink (California)B Line D Line J Line 
US 101 (1961 cutout).svg US 101 / Santa Ana Freeway
 Civic Center/​Grand Park
Little Tokyo/Arts District
closed
2020
L Line  became E Line 
 Little Tokyo/Arts District
relocated
 
 Historic Broadway
Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill
J Line 
 Pershing Square
7th Street/​Metro Center
B Line D Line J Line 
B Line D Line 
 Pico
J Line 
E Line 
E Line
to Santa Monica
A Line 
A Line
to Long Beach
Handicapped/disabled access All stations are accessible
This diagram:

The Regional Connector Transit Project constructed a 1.9-mile (3.1 km) light rail tunnel for the Los Angeles Metro Rail system in Downtown Los Angeles. It connected the A and E lines with the former L Line. The A and E lines previously both terminated at 7th Street/Metro Center station, coming from Long Beach and Santa Monica, respectively, while the L Line ran through Little Tokyo/Arts District to either Azusa or East Los Angeles. Now the A and E lines continue together through new stations at Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill, Historic Broadway, and Little Tokyo/Arts District. From there, they diverge on the former L Line toward Azusa and East Los Angeles, respectively. The project provides a one-seat ride into the core of Downtown for passengers on those lines who previously needed to transfer, thus reducing or altogether eliminating many transfers of passengers traveling across the region via Downtown Los Angeles.[1]

The project was implemented by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). It was given high priority by Metro in its long-range plan[2] and had funding set aside for it in Measure R.[3]

The draft environmental impact statement was completed in September 2010, selection of a preferred alternative was completed in late October 2010, and the Final Environmental Impact Report was certified on April 26, 2012.[4] Pre-construction on the project began in December 2012. The contract for heavy construction on the project was signed on July 9, 2014, and its official groundbreaking was held on September 30, 2014.[5] Originally scheduled to open in 2020, but delayed due to construction and train testing difficulties, the project opened on June 16, 2023.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Conceptualized Regional Connector Map" (PDF). LA Metro. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  2. ^ "2009 Final Long Range Transportation Plan" (PDF). Metro (LACMTA). 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  3. ^ "Measure R". Metro (LACMTA). June 26, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  4. ^ "Metro Board certifies final environmental study for Regional Connector". Metro (LACMTA). April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  5. ^ Hymon, Steve (September 30, 2014). "Ground is broken for Regional Connector project to link Blue, Expo and Gold Lines". The Source. Metro. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  6. ^ @numble (September 20, 2022). "September 2022 presentation by LA Metro's @juliekeattsowen provides updated info on construction projects. Presentation says Regional Connector opening Winter 2023" (Tweet). Retrieved December 7, 2022 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Von Quednow, Cindy (June 16, 2023). "Metro Regional Connector opens in Los Angeles, bringing more direct access to downtown". KTLA. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved June 16, 2023.