Construction starts on LA’s 12.4-mile Vermont bus corridor

Construction began Oct. 21, 2026, on Metro’s planned 12.4-mile Vermont Avenue bus rapid-transit corridor, which will run from Sunset Boulevard to 120th Street. The project calls for all-day dedicated bus lanes and 26 upgraded stations at 13 major locations.

The corridor is designed to improve service on a route where Metro Lines 204 and 754 currently record about 38,000 weekday boardings. Metro estimates the project could cut travel time between Sunset Boulevard and the 105 by 17 minutes, or 24%, compared with current trips. That is a forecast, not a measured result or a guaranteed saving for individual riders.

What the project budget covers i

Metro’s board adopted a $413,786,609 life-of-project budget on Sept. 24, 2026, and authorized the agency’s chief executive to negotiate and execute project-related agreements up to that amount. The budget is not a final construction contract price: Metro says construction pricing will be developed through validation and negotiation as design packages advance.

Planned station features include shade, real-time arrival displays, improved lighting, emergency call buttons and accessible curb ramps. The project also includes transit signal priority, frequent service, all-door boarding, enhanced crosswalks and sidewalk extensions called bus bulb-outs. The route is planned to connect with Metro’s B, C, D and E rail lines and east-west bus routes.

When could riders use the improvements? i

Metro’s board report anticipates revenue service in June 2028. That is not necessarily the first time riders could experience any part of the project: Metro says portions may be experienced as bus lanes are completed. Metro has not provided a segment-by-segment opening schedule.

The route passes through Los Angeles communities including East Hollywood, Los Feliz, Koreatown, University Park/Exposition Park and South Los Angeles. Its southernmost 2.5 miles extend into unincorporated West Athens and Westmont.