Metro - File #: 2026-0759

• File #: 2026-0759
• Type: Motion / Motion Response
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 10/5/2026
• In control: Construction Committee
• On agenda: 10/14/2026
• Title: APPROVE Motion by Richardson and Hahn that the Board direct the Chief Executive Officer to: Establish the Southeast Gateway Line Streamlined Permitting and Project Delivery Pilot Program to reduce duplicative permitting and review requirements, expedite required approvals, and reduce permitting-related cost and schedule risks. Metro shall continue to coordinate with affected jurisdictions and to provide plans and specifications for review and comment, while maintaining responsibility for the final project design and delivery. For permits and approvals that are required, work with corridor jurisdictions to establish a centralized and expedited process with clear responsibilities, predictable review timelines, concurrent reviews where feasible, and a process to quickly resolve issues that threaten project cost or schedule. Establish clear accountability and performance measures for the pilot, including tracking required permits and reviews, processing times, schedule impacts, and perm...
• Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting

Meeting_Body
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 14, 2026

Preamble
Motion by:

DIRECTORS RICHARDSON AND HAHN

Pilot Program to Centralize Permitting Along the Southeast Gateway Line Motion

Background on the Southeast Gateway Line:

The Southeast Gateway Line (SGL) is the 14.5-mile light rail priority project that will bring high-quality rail service to communities in Southeast Los Angeles County that have historically lacked comparable investment in the region’s rail system. While the initial operating section will connect Artesia to the A line, ultimately a one seat ride will connect all the cities and communities along the corridor to Downtown LA. The project area of the SGL is home to 1.4 million residents, and will connect them to jobs, health care, school and countless other services.

In the modern era of LA Metro, there hasn’t been a significant investment to the Southeast cities. The Blue/A Line pre-dated the creation of what we know today as LA Metro, making the SGL an important project for the entire agency to move forward.

Navigating the SGL:

Delivering the project, however, requires navigating an exceptionally complex network of jurisdictions, agencies, property owners, and other stakeholders. The project will cross multiple jurisdictions and require coordination with 11 cities, seven public agencies, 28 utility owners, more than 300 property owners, and major regional partners including the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, Caltrans, and Union Pacific Railroad.

That complexity makes effective coordination essential—but it also creates a risk that multiple layers of local review and permitting can sometimes result in duplicative processes, inconsistent requirements, extended approval timelines, and additional project costs. Delays do not simply affect the schedule, they mean higher construction costs, particularly as Metro works to manage construction cost escalation and demonstrate to state and fe...