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During 2028 Summer Olympic Games, will L.A. region transpo. become too bogged down? [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-06-11

First, for added context, consider the following Center for Clean Air Policy pronouncement.

Patterns of urban growth of Post WWII North American development have created cities and regions that are centered upon and are dependent on the car to meet transportation needs. Located largely at the urban fringe, this pattern of suburban, or greenfield, development is typically dominated by housing-only enclaves consisting of single family homes and two-car garages and a hierarchical road system (with one way in and one way out). Here, land use functions are isolated (residential, commercial, employment), origins and destinations are farther apart, infrastructure design is oriented toward the automobile, and low population densities are not conducive to public transportation. With the automobile as the only realistic transportation mode for suburbanites in these sprawling communities, commuters are faced with increased driving distances and increased congestion. All told, this pattern of growth has resulted in deteriorating urban air quality and human health, increased emissions of greenhouse gases, limited transportation and housing choice, inefficient use of infrastructure, and communities that are less able to meet the needs of their residents.*

For what it’s worth, I agree with everything except the “low population densities are not conducive to public transportation” part. While this may be valid in the general sense, there are specific examples where in areas having low population densities, comparatively speaking, transit has fared just fine and I furthermore happen to believe that that CCAP pronouncement above describes the Los Angeles region to a tee.

In continuing, the region can be defined as a mega region. Mega regions are those having populations of over 10 million people.

All things considered and in the minds of at least a few, the region transportation-wise will not be ready in time to effectively handle the crush of expected attendees (spectators), participant athletes and staff and media types to be involved in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. I’m not sure I would concur with that sentiment. I mean, after all, the Summer Olympics was held there previously in 1932 and 1984 alike and at least as far as year 1984 was concerned, I don’t remember there being any major headaches in this regard then. And, I furthermore don’t expect the situation to be any different in summer 2028.

Why? Because preparations are being made as this is being written.

Take, for example, this: A brand spanking new light-rail transit link now directly serves LAX.

But there is also this, an excerpt from “On A Roll Toward 2028 And The Summer Olympic And Paralympic Games In LA” at All About Trains:

The Metro Board of Directors approved the Olympics and Paralympics 2028 Mobility Concept Plan (MCP) in addition to the $17B worth of capital projects currently underway or completed which will support the Games. The primary mode of transport for spectators and workforce will be an expanded bus network connecting to key mobility hubs around the region, leveraging light and heavy rail services and existing bus service.

A few examples of completed capital projects include:

• “New Blue” A Line Improvements Project that overhauled the rail line from Downtown L.A. to Long Beach to improve reliability, speed, and customer experience completed in 2019. • J Line (Silver) Improvement Project, a bus rapid transit line, completed in 2020 and will provide key connections for spectators starting in San Gabriel Valley to venues in Downtown Los Angeles and other venues throughout the region. • K Line opened in 2022, provides better access to numerous South L.A. communities, including the Crenshaw Corridor, Hyde Park, Leimert Park, Fairview Heights, Inglewood and Westchester which will help increase connectivity and mobility for the city, reduce car traffic and provide a vital service to visitors for the Games. • The Regional Connector opened in 2023, streamlines connections to and from East Los Angeles, Downtown LA, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Monica, Westside, South L.A., and Long Beach will help carry and provide key connections for thousands of spectators all over the region. • Eastside Access Improvements opened in 2023 provides better access to venue for spectators and Games workforce who choose to walk, cycle or roll to the Little Tokyo/Arts District Stations which serves the A and E Lines, and connects to Grand Park and Union Station. Other major projects to accommodate access to the Games are expected to be completed before 2028 include the following. • The Airport Metro Connector, which will open later this year. Once open – changes the game for connecting to our system (K-Line and C-Line). • The three D Line Subway extensions that will facilitate a 30-minute trip from UCLA to Downtown LA – the future home of the Olympic Village. o Section 1 (Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega) – opening 2025 o Section 2 (Wilshire/Rodeo and Century City) – opening 2026 o Section 3 (Westwood/UCLA and Westwood/VA) – opening 2027 For a full list of all Twenty-eight by ’28 and Mobility Concept Plan projects, please visit https://www.metro.net/2028games/: Metro’s partner, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, is also building an extension of the A Line from Glendora to Pomona that is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

Any questions?

* Center for Clean Air Policy, “CCAP Transportation Emissions Guidebook, Part 1: Land Use, Transit & Travel Demand Management, p. 7. https://www.ccap.org/guidebook

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