# LA Metro Advances Eastside Rail Extension

LA Metro is advancing the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 light-rail extension from East Los Angeles toward Whittier. Its 4.7-mile Initial Operating Segment (IOS) is estimated to cost **$7.9 billion**, with more than $3.9 billion in local and state funding committed and a substantial funding gap remaining. Metro is pursuing federal and state grants and expects the Federal Transit Administration’s NEPA decision, including a Finding of No Significant Impact, this winter. The IOS is projected to generate more than 11,600 local jobs.

- **Why this matters:** Grant decisions and environmental review are important milestones for a major regional rail infrastructure opportunity, but the project still has a substantial funding gap.
- Contractors in rail construction, systems, engineering, and related services can use the project’s scale and projected job impact to assess potential market demand; no specific solicitation or award timeline is provided.
- Companies can contact Metro’s project team for Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 information and use the anticipated winter NEPA decision and grant-seeking process as relevant planning milestones.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Transportation, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
- State of California

### Key Quotes
> Our families organized, filled every meeting room and refused to let the Eastside be left behind. Watching this line extend east to connect our neighborhoods with Whittier and the rest of Southeast Los Angeles County tells the next generation that when this community speaks with one voice, it can change the map of Los Angeles.
> — Frank Villalobos, longtime Eastside community advocate

> For more than two decades, residents and community partners have guided and championed this work, from the first Eastside Extension to Atlantic Boulevard to the milestone we celebrate today.
> — Stephanie Wiggins, Chief Executive Officer of Metro

### Sources
- [METRO, COMMUNITY PARTNERS CELEBRATE PROGRESS ON EASTSIDE TRANSIT CORRIDOR PHASE 2 THAT WILL CONNECT EASTSIDE TO SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES COUNTY COMMUNITIES - LA Metro](https://www.metro.net/about/metro-community-partners-celebrate-progress-on-eastside-transit-corridor-phase-2-that-will-connect-eastside-to-southeast-los-angeles-county-communities/) - CA