Metro will hold two community meetings beginning Wednesday, April 6, to update the public on the South Bay Metro Green Line Extension project. The purpose of these meetings is to seek public comments and input as the environmental process continues for extending transit service farther into the South Bay to improve mobility in southwest Los Angeles County.

Metro is currently preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/DEIR) to identify transit improvements that would provide an alternative to the I-405 corridor by accessing the regional transit network through connections to the proposed Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor, currently under environmental review.

As part of the Draft EIS/EIR, Metro will assess existing conditions in the study area, further refine the project alternatives, assess their potential impacts and identify possible and reasonable mitigation measures as necessary.

The Light Rail ‘Build’ Alterative being considered in the Draft EIS/EIR evaluates extending the Metro Green Line from its current terminus at the Redondo Beach Station to the proposed Torrance Regional Transit Center (RTC). In addition, the Draft EIS/EIR will evaluate the No Build and Transportation Systems Management alternatives.

The public is encouraged to attend the community meetings and provide their input. The meetings will provide a project overview and update on the draft environmental process.

The following is a list of upcoming meetings:

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Nakano Theater.

Monday, April 11, 2011 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at  North Redondo Senior Center, Perry Park.

The study area encompasses approximately 30 square miles and includes the cities of El Segundo, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance as well as the Del Aire and Lennox areas of unincorporated LA County.

For information on the project and the Draft EIS/EIR process the public can call 1-800-266-6883 or visit www.metro.net/southbayextension for additional information.