The Inglewood Transit Connector is a planned automated people mover train system that will run on elevated tracks through Inglewood in Los Angeles County, connecting Downtown Inglewood Station to several major sports stadiums. The project aims to serve as a transportation link for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with construction originally slated to begin this year, but now set to open in 2030. The system will include stops at three stations along 1.6 miles of elevated track.
Inglewood City Council recently selected the companies that will be involved in a public-private partnership to finance, design, construct, operate, and maintain the Inglewood Transit Connector. The consortium, Elevate Inglewood Partners, includes companies such as Plenary Americas US Holdings, Tutor Perini Corporation, Parsons Corporation, Woojin Industrial System Co., Ltd., and Alternate Concepts, Inc. The federal transit administration has pledged $1 billion towards the project through a grant, covering half of the total project cost of approximately $2 billion.
Engineering consultancy Gannett Fleming, consulting on the project, explained that the trains will operate on a dual-track “pinched-loop” system, with smaller vehicles able to maneuver tight curves necessary for site-specific conditions. The system will be fully automated, serving an estimated 4 million passengers annually and reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gases, while improving community safety and mobility. This automated rail system is part of Los Angeles’ efforts to address its notorious traffic congestion, with ongoing construction on a high-speed rail connection designed to eventually link the city with the Bay Area and extend to Sacramento and San Diego at a projected cost of $135 billion.
The Inglewood Transit Connector project marks a transformative investment in the city, with Mayor James T. Butts highlighting the selection of a team to develop and operate the system as a key milestone. The proposed line will connect multiple major sports venues, including the Kia Forum, YouTube Theater, SoFi Stadium, Hollywood Park Casino, and the under-construction Intuit Dome, serving as an essential transportation link for both residents and visitors in the area. The system is expected to significantly enhance community mobility and contribute to environmental sustainability goals by reducing emissions and vehicle use.
With the planned delayed opening of the Inglewood Transit Connector to 2030, the project remains a crucial aspect of the city’s infrastructure development and transportation network. The fully elevated and electric automated people mover system represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing transportation challenges in the region while also supporting economic growth and access to key entertainment and sports venues. As Los Angeles continues to invest in transportation infrastructure, including the ongoing high-speed rail project, the Inglewood Transit Connector is positioned to play a central role in shaping the city’s future mobility landscape and contributing to a more sustainable and connected urban environment.
