A new batch of community meetings has provided an opportunity to review Metro's plans for the northern leg of the West Santa Ana Branch, a proposed light rail line between Downtown Los Angeles and the Gateway Cities.

The corridor, spanning 18 miles, is set to receive approximately $1.75 billion from the sales taxes levied through Measures R and M.  Although the Measure M expenditure plan envisioned a two-phase construction plan, starting in 2022 and ending by 2041, the project is one of 28 which Metro is aiming to complete prior to the 2028 Summer Olympics.  Metro has received an application for a potential public-private partnership that could help achieve this goal.

According to a display board posted at the meeting, Metro offers up estimated travel times, ridership forecasts, and cost projections for seven alignments currently under consideration, with potential end destinations at either Union Station, the Financial District, and proposed Red/Purple Line extension to the Arts District (h/t/ Streetsblog LA):

Each alignment would be predominantly grade separated through Downtown, with the lone exception of a street-level undercrossing at the Santa Monica Freeway.