This article first appeared at Streetsblog, where there are even more images!
The wait is over! Mostly. The Metro K and C Lines now connect to LAX airport via a landmark station, the impressive LAX Metro Transit Center.
The station marks the completion of the initial phase of the Metro K Line, which began construction in 2014 and opened in 2022. In 2021, the Metro board greenlighted construction for a $900 million landmark LAX station designed to not just serve rail riders, but also airport bus and bike connections, and really to provide an iconic entry point to Los Angeles. The lion’s share of the funding is from the 2016 voter-approved sales tax Measure M. Construction got underway in June 2021, with an anticipated opening date in late 2024. Streetsblog documented construction progress earlier this year.
And today the LAX Metro Transit Center opened to the public.
Thousands of people attended the invite-only opening ceremonies, which featured various elected officials and Metro leadership touting the new station connections.
Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins proclaimed that the new station will supercharge Metro’s transit network across the region and welcome the world to Los Angeles.
The new LAX station is really impressive. It’s massive and beautiful.
The architecture is reminiscent of Lower Manhattan’s The Oculus transportation hub. The roof structures are all full of sweeping ribbed curves. The space is very open, full of natural light and air circulation. Transitions from semi-indoor to outdoor are gradual and offer extended views.
A swirling large scale sculpture – The Distance of the Sun by Glenn Kaino – anchors the center of the central area. But the central area isn’t the only aesthetically pleasing space.
The ~11-acre LAX station includes a half-dozen connected components:
- Rail platform for Metro K and C Lines
- 16-bay bus plaza serving six Metro bus routes, plus Beach Cities Transit, Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus, GTrans, Torrance Transit, and LAWA shuttles.
- 3-story bike hub, with secure bike parking, showers, bathrooms – connected to a bike/walk path
- Driver drop-off
- Connection to the future LAX people mover – a separate project opening early 2026
Below is a photographic tour of the various components (in the above order), but to really get a sense for this remarkable place, please go visit it yourself. Metro is free all weekend, and this is worth checking out.
C and K Lines station
Bus Plaza
Bicycle Features
Drop-Off
Future LAX people mover station
