As part of a larger effort to rezone and redevelop a broad swath of industrial land to the east of the Rio Hondo, the City of Pico Rivera is beginning to makes its case for a new commuter rail station and bus rapid transit which would better connect the eastern half of Los Angeles County.

The Pico Rivera 2035 initiative, or PR 2035, aims to redevelop roughly 1,080 acres of land as a new downtown hub, split between new public open space and live/work commercial uses. That effort also aims to position Pico Rivera as a new hub for micro electric vehicle production, capitalizing on existing startups in Southern California, as well as proximity to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and access to freight rail and the interstate highways.

Route of proposed bus rapid transit line on Rosemead and LakewoodCity of Pico Rivera

One of the centerpieces to this plan is a proposal to create a new 26-mile north-south bus rapid transit line, which would make use of existing right-of-way on Rosemead and Lakewood Boulevards. Pico Rivera is looking to secure between $12 million and $20 million to master plan and design the corridor, which would also include bikeways and other complete streets infrastructure.

While Pico Rivera may be at the center of this route, such an undertaking would require coordination and cooperation with multiple jurisdictions. Rosemead Boulevard passes through four cities and three unincorporated communities along 9.6 miles in the San Gabriel Valley, while the Lakewood Boulevard segment of the route runs through six different cities along 16.7 miles in the Gateway Cities. Each city, as well as Los Angeles County, would have to approve individual segments of route between East Pasadena and Long Beach.

A bus rapid transit line on the corridor could connect a variety of different modes of transportation on the eastern side of the County, including the planned eastside extension of Metro's E Line and the soon-to-be-renamed West Santa Ana branch. Likewise, it could provide a connection to another component of Pico Rivera's vision: a new regional rail stop which would be served by Metrolink's Orange County Line.

Proposed zoning conceptCity of Pico Rivera

According to a brief on the PR 2035 initiative, construction of the new commuter rail stop is expected to occur first. Pending availability of funding, it is targeted to open in 2029 or 2030.

The bus rapid transit line, which will require more regional coordination, has already secured local, state, and even Federal funds. Pico Rivera's presentation estimates that construction could be completed sometime between 2029 and 2032.

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