TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 (ESP2) Project Update MEETING DATE: May 12, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council will consider receiving and filing a presentation from Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) providing an update on the Metro Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 (ESP2) Project.
BACKGROUND
The Metro Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 (ESP2) is a 9-mile extension of the Metro E Line serving the communities of East Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, West Whittier-Los Nietos, and the City of Whittier. In May 2024, the Metro Board approved the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project, which will be constructed in two phases:
Phase 2A / Initial Operating Segment (IOS): 4.7 miles with 4 stations, extending from Atlantic to Montebello Greenwood Station.
Phase 2B: 4.3 miles with 3 stations, continuing to the City of Whittier.
The Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for Phase 2A includes four stations: Atlantic/Pomona Station (relocated), Atlantic/Whittier Station, Commerce/Citadel Station, and Montebello Greenwood Station, along with a potential Maintenance and Storage Facility in Montebello. The alignment consists of 3.1 miles underground, 0.9 miles aerial, and 0.7 miles at street level.
The City of Commerce has an executed Cooperative Agreement with Metro and has been actively coordinating on design review, utility relocation, traffic analysis, and first/last mile planning for the Commerce/Citadel Station area.
ANALYSIS
Within the City of Commerce, the ESP2 alignment runs predominantly underground along Washington Boulevard, transitioning to an aerial configuration in certain segments. The Commerce/Citadel Station is proposed as an underground station located in the vicinity of the Citadel Outlets, with the station platform running along Smithway Street.
Metro has been advancing the ESP2 project on multiple fronts. Preliminary Engineering (PE) is currently at 30% design with systems design advancing in parallel. Pre-construction surveys, including 172 utility pothole locations and 135 soil borings, have been substantially completed across the corridor. The City of Commerce has reviewed and provided comments on several submitted design documents, including the Civil Design Package, Traffic & Train Interface Plan, Draft SWQMP & LID Report, and the PE Utility Design Package. Metro has been incorporating City comments and is preparing updated drafts for resubmittal. Most recently, Metro submitted the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) for City review.
Metro released the Draft NEPA Environmental Assessment for a 30-day public review period in Spring 2026, followed by public hearings and an FTA NEPA decision document targeted for Summer/Fall 2026. Metro and City staff will continue coordinating on outstanding design review items, traffic analysis, and Washington Blvd. operational strategies. Construction of stations and the guideway is currently forecasted to begin in 2029, with a Revenue Service Date projected for 2035–2037, pending funding availability.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with receiving and filing this report. The City’s coordination efforts are covered under the executed Cooperative Agreement with Metro.
ALTERNATIVES
Approve the recommendation.
Reject the recommendation.
Provide staff with further direction.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan, Community Quality of Life Guiding Principle 4:
Support and evaluate community services, programs and events that promote healthy and quality lifestyles for our residents. Enhance public safety and social services through innovative programs that meet the needs of the residential and business communities.
Recommended by: Shahid Abbas, Director of Public Works
Fiscal Impact reviewed: Alvaro Castellon, Director of Finance Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted by: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Metro Presentation
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No.