Moving one of the first Measure M projects forward, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors voted on December 1 to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Airport Metro Connector 96th Street Transit Station.
“Today’s action speaks volumes in terms of connecting our entire rail system with LAX – one of the busiest airports in the United States and a major employment center in Southern California,” said Metro Board Chair John Fasana. “Getting this report certified means we can now design the station and then build it.”
The Airport Metro Connector 96th Street Transit Station will add a new station to the Crenshaw/LAX Line – which is now under construction - to provide an easy transfer to a future Automated People Mover (APM) that will connect to the LAX passenger terminals. The APM is being planned and will be built and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). Metro and LAWA have been working cooperatively on these two projects to make the connection a reality.
The 96th Street Transit Station is envisioned to be the new “gateway” to LAX for transit riders and will be served by the Metro Green and Crenshaw/LAX Lines. In addition, the station will feature three light rail platforms, a bus plaza for Metro and municipal buses, a pick-up/drop-off area for those coming by private vehicle, a bicycle hub, amenities for pedestrians and a Metro hub/terminal building that will provide the connection to the people mover. The public hearing during the scoping phase of the project took place in February 2015 followed by the public hearing on the Draft EIR in July 2016.
The Crenshaw/LAX light rail project is being built by Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors (WSCC), which has committed to completing the project to allow rail service to begin in the fall of 2019.
“This is a shovel ready project, funded by Measure M that can now proceed toward the construction stage,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “In fact, as part of their commitment, the contractors working on the Crenshaw/LAX line are well on their way to delivering accommodations for the future Airport Metro Connector 96th Street Transit Station.”