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Metro releases federal environmental assessment for East Side Transit Phase 2; Montebello urged to weigh in at June hearings
Summary
Metro announced publication of a federal Environmental Assessment for the East Side Transit Corridor Phase 2 on May 27, starting a 30‑day public comment period and scheduling a Montebello hearing on June 13. The project would bring a nine‑mile light‑rail extension through Montebello; officials and residents pressed Metro on local costs, the 3% local match and maintenance‑facility options.
Metro released its federal Environmental Assessment (NEPA) for the East Side Transit Corridor Phase 2 project on May 27 and invited Montebello residents and the City Council to submit comments during a 30‑day public review window that closes June 26.
Why this matters: Metro officials said the extension would connect East L.A. to Whittier via a roughly nine‑mile alignment that places Montebello near the middle of the route and would include an initial set of stations serving the city. Metro estimated an early‑design cost of about $7.9–$8 billion, with roughly $3 billion already committed from local Measure AM funds and an estimated $4 billion in remaining funding to be pursued from state and federal sources.
Metro project staff Lorena Sanchez (community relations manager) and Jill Leu (project manager, countywide planning) presented the document and timeline. Metro emphasized that the EA’s publication begins a formal process that includes in‑person and virtual public hearings; the Montebello hearing is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.–noon at Hollyfield Park Community Center. Comments can also be submitted through the project website.
What the council asked: Multiple council members pressed Metro for specifics on the local 3% matching requirement in the Measure/Expenditure Plan, noting the city will not know the dollar amount until 30% design. Metro staff said the local match is typically roughly 3% under the expenditure plan and that the exact amount is developed as the design advances. Council members also raised neighborhood concerns about notification radius (mailings within a half‑mile versus a 500‑foot radius) and whether a maintenance‑storage facility (MSF) in Montebello would trigger business relocations; Metro said two of the on‑alignment MSF options in Montebello could require relocation and described a third option in Commerce that would have smaller right‑of‑way impacts.
Safety and community benefits: Metro said safety is a priority and described multi‑layered security approaches, partnerships with local police, ambassadors for wayfinding and outreach programs for unhoused riders. Officials also highlighted joint‑development and transit‑oriented community planning opportunities and said Metro will coordinate station access, landscaping and ADA elements with city planning and public works staff.
Next steps: Metro will accept public comments through June 26, report back to the Metro Board this summer, and complete the NEPA process with the Federal Transit Administration in fall 2026. If NEPA clearance is obtained, right‑of‑way acquisition and construction work would follow, with design milestones and potential openings forecasted in the mid‑2030s (Metro staff cited an illustrative service start window of 2035–2037, contingent on funding).
Council context: City officials urged residents to participate in the June hearings and emphasized the need to plan for the eventual 3% contribution agreement, which will return to the council for public discussion once design‑phase cost estimates are available.
