Los Angeles is moving ahead with a massive overhaul of one of its busiest bus corridors after finally securing nearly $150 million in federal funding.
The Vermont Avenue Bus Rapid Transit project will overhaul 12.4 miles of Vermont Avenue, from Sunset Boulevard to 120th Street, with dedicated bus lanes, upgraded stations and other improvements.
Metro expects construction to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, with service targeted to open in time for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The project has received $149.9 million through the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant Small Starts Program.
The project also has funding tied to Measure M, the half-cent sales tax approved by Los Angeles County voters.
The total capital cost is about $339.1 million.
Vermont Avenue already carries roughly 36,000 transit trips each day.
Metro estimates that figure could rise to about 66,000 daily passengers once the dedicated lanes are operating, including more than 12,000 new riders.
The overhaul will include 26 stations serving northbound and southbound buses.
Planned upgrades include platforms, canopies, shelters, seating, lighting and real-time arrival information, along with pedestrian improvements around intersections.
All-door boarding is also planned to speed up passenger loading and unloading.
The Vermont corridor will connect with the B and D Lines, the E Line and the C Line, along with numerous east-west bus routes.
The route also passes Los Angeles City College, Exposition Park, USC, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Metro is already conducting preliminary work along Vermont Avenue, including underground utility exploration ahead of the main construction phase.
