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Metro outlines $161M Reconnecting Communities projects affecting Norwalk — bus corridor upgrades and Hoxie bike path
Summary
Metro officials presented federal Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grants that will fund bus corridor improvements along Studebaker and Imperial and a multi‑use Hoxie bike path; Norwalk staff said designs are on an expedited schedule to finish construction before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Metro planning staff presented an overview of the countywide Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) grant program and described three projects that will affect Norwalk: bus-corridor upgrades along Studebaker and Imperial highways and a two-way Hoxie Avenue bicycle facility.
Deputy Executive Officer Maqui (presenting for Metro planning) said Metro’s RCN program has a total program allocation of about $161 million, with a federal share of $139 million. Projects countywide will fund bus-shelter and bus-corridor enhancements, first‑/last‑mile bike and pedestrian connections, mobility hubs and related transit amenities.
Local projects: Metro staff said the Norwalk components include: - Studebaker Avenue corridor improvements for 1.4 miles between Cecilia Street and the 105 Transit/Freeway with transit signal priority and new bus shelters; - Imperial Highway corridor improvements for about 2.1 miles with transit signal priority and prioritized bus-shelter locations; and - A Hoxie Avenue first/last-mile project that will create a class 1 multi-use path north of Imperial and a class 4 separated bike lane south of Imperial, running adjacent to the Norwalk Transit Center and along the Costco property edge.
Timeline and requirements: Metro’s representative said the program must meet federal requirements and an accelerated delivery timeline tied to upcoming regional events. Metro intends to complete 30% design by December 2025, finish final design by June 2026 and complete construction by December 2027, with an expectation that installations be in place before the March 2028 moratorium related to the 2028 Games. Construction of the Hoxie bike lane was described as beginning in August 2026 with completion in December 2027.
Local concerns and coordination: Council members and staff raised concerns around congestion at the Hoxie/Costco edge and the potential impacts on vehicle circulation. Metro said the Hoxie design uses separated facilities where possible to avoid mixing cyclists with Costco driveway traffic and that staff have coordinated design details with Norwalk staff and Norwalk Transit.
Public and agency engagement: Metro and city staff said they will continue public outreach and coordination meetings and that Norwalk staff and Norwalk Transit have been actively involved. Metro said it intends ongoing community participation as design advances and expects to sign letters of agreement and continue interagency coordination.
What’s next: Metro’s representative asked to complete 30% design by December 2025 and invited continued coordination with Norwalk staff on right‑of‑way, shelter placement and safety measures. Council members requested continued community outreach, site visits and close attention to safety where the bike path runs adjacent to high‑traffic commercial driveways.
