The K Line extension would connect the Expo Line to the Hollywood/Highland Red Line station. (photo by Edwin Folven)

On Sept. 19, Metro updated the community in a Zoom meeting about the development of the K Line, which is currently in the environmental impact report stage. The K Line would be an underground rail through West Hollywood that would further expand the Metro subway system throughout western parts of Los Angeles County.

“We’re getting public feedback and input both from the public residences, businesses, schools [and] everyone that’s in the project footprint, as well as … anyone who might be affected or has some reason to comment on this project,” Metro spokesman Patrick Chandler said.

Three options are being explored for the K Line route, each connecting the Exposition Line and the Hollywood/Highland Red Line station. The San Vicente/Santa Monica route would cut through parts of Beverly Hills and the Rainbow District of West Hollywood. The Wilshire/Fairfax route would largely run along Fairfax Avenue, while the Wilshire/La Brea route would run under La Brea Avenue.

Chandler said that the Metro board will be presented with a draft plan as soon as later this year, at which time the board might choose a route. Local leaders have expressed enthusiastic support for Metro’s development, with many championing San Vicente/Santa Monica route.

“I’m exciting about the progress being made in bringing transit to West Hollywood,” West Hollywood Councilman John Heilman said. “Like most people in the community, I support the San Vicente route. It’s the route which will provide the maximum amount of service to the West Hollywood community. I hope members of the public will participate in the community meetings and learn more about the route and the next steps in bringing Metro to West Hollywood.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, 3rd District, a Metro board member, has indicated her support for a specific route.

“The K Line, which connects West Hollywood to our entire region, will be transformational and will result in the highest ridership light rail line in the entire country,” Horvath said. “The [San Vicente/Santa Monica] route would bring rail to Beverly Grove and all of West Hollywood, connecting some of our highest job, health care and housing density areas to LAX, the Hollywood Bowl and other existing Metro rail and bus lines. The current K Line community meetings will be critical in ensuring that community concerns are heard and that the benefits of this line are widely known. As a Metro board member, I look forward to championing this project and finishing the line.”

“I’m very pleased to see the continued progress towards bringing Metro to West Hollywood,” West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tempore John Erickson said. “Let’s finish the line.”

Three potential routes are being explored for the Metro K Line extension. (photo courtesy of Metro)

The next informational meeting on the line will be held on Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. in the West Hollywood Aquatic and Recreation Center’s Doheny Room, located at 8750 El Tovar Place. Chandler encouraged residents to attend the meeting, saying that even if people don’t think it affects them, it does.

“It gives people a chance to take part of what could affect their neighborhood,” he said. “We’re planning for the future. By 2047, we’re going have a number of different lines already activated in place … so it’s not only assurance, it’s taking the right steps and planning for the future.”

It will be more than 20 years before the K Line becomes a reality, with an estimated opening in 2047, no matter which of the routes is chosen. The Purple Line, currently being built under Wilshire Boulevard, is anticipated to open in segments in the next few years, with the line completely open by 2027.