New Metro K Line opens in South Los Angeles

Los Angeles Metro opened a new $2.1 billion dollar metro line in South Los Angeles on October 7 with eight stations: Expo/Crenshaw, Martin Luther King Jr., Leimert Park, Hyde Park, Fairview Heights, Downtown Inglewood, Westchester/Veterans and Aviation/Century.

Previously the line was known as the Crenshaw/LAX line, the K Line extends from the E line at Expo/Crenshaw Station and merges with the C Line at Aviation/LAX Station to connect the Crenshaw Corridor, Inglewood and El Segundo.

It is the largest investment in public transportation in South Los Angeles in 20 years.

Construction for the project began in 2014 with plans to finish in 2019. These eventually got pushed back due to various roadblocks like a liquidated damages lawsuit and cost overruns.

The original impetus for the K line was to spur economic growth and opportunity in a region that a new metro line could benefit. Hopes of new job opportunities and economic activity were met with fears of gentrification.

The results have yet to play out, though, as L.A. Metro remains optimistic in its investment.

“We were hoping and expect they will see more financial investment because you now have more access to it,” said Patrick Chandler, L.A. Metro communications manager. “People have an easier way to get to and from work or school or whatever they’re going without having to drive throughout Los Angeles so they’re making congestion [better].”

New riders have reacted positively to the new metro line.

“I’m really excited about it, it saves me getting the kids in the car and keep[ing] them entertained,” said L.A. resident David Bolour. “It’s nicer to not be in traffic and it connects to the expo line so we can go to the beach or downtown. It’s perfect.”

Overall, the new line helps locals in the community commute more efficiently and at a lower cost.

“We’ve already seen the positive impact,” said street team worker Stephanie Leticia. “It’s helping people get all the way from scratch, all the way to their homes instead of having to jump on the bus and pay for it. We’ve been seeing the biggest impact on the older folks that live on these stops.”

The K Line is slated to be fully completed in 2024 when the Airport Metro Connector and people mover projects are finished. This would provide direct transportation to LAX, a service that could greatly help travelers as an estimated 200,000 people move through the airport daily, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Looking ahead, L.A. Metro has plans currently undergoing the environmental study phase that, if passed, would extend the K Line northward.

“There’s what we call the Crenshaw Northern extension which will eventually [exist] in maybe the next 20 years, if not sooner,” Chandler said. “[It] will extend the K Line farther north and connect to the Purple Line or D Line and then to the Red or B Line and have a potential terminus at the Hollywood Bowl.”

For more information about the K Line, visit the Metro website.