Last week, Inglewood city officials announced a major change in the Inglewood Transit Connector project, whose original vision featured an automated light-rail people mover. Now, the project has been retooled into a series of phased rollouts involving bus-only lanes, traffic technology, and eventually, shuttles.
The Inglewood Transit Connector (ICT) was planned as a 1.6-mile automated rail line to connect the Downtown Inglewood Metro station with venues like SoFi Stadium, the Kia Forum, and the Intuit Dome, several of which will host events during the 2028 Olympics. However, the project brought up concerns about business disruption and displacement, with influential critics including Rams owner Stan Kroenke, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, and Rep. Maxine Waters.
Now, the ICT has announced a less expensive plan featuring a multi-modal transit system using shuttles, which they describe as more “neighborhood-centered” with phased rollouts to address immediate mobility needs. They list the following developments for Downtown Inglewood:
- New Mobility Hubs at the northern and southern ends of the city, providing parking and seamless public transport transfers for Metro, shuttles, and buses
- Bus-only lanes activated for events, located on Hawthorne Boulevard, La Brea Avenue, and Arbor Vitae Street
- Daily shuttle buses connecting C- and K-Line Metro stations with key Inglewood destinations, including Market Street
- Bike infrastructure, such as bike share stations and lockers
- Walkability improvements, including upgraded sidewalks
- Enhanced traffic technology to improve traffic flow and mitigate congestion
- Investments in Market Street to improve storefront facades, create better parking options, and make the area more pedestrian-friendly
The “Destination Market Street Program” is planned to launch this summer to help small businesses and tenants on Market Street. The city will also spend the rest of 2025 focusing on community outreach and gathering feedback on the project. Then, we should see the streetscape, mobility hubs, and other improvements beginning in 2026—all with the goal of hosting the world at the 2028 Olympics.
“This updated and phased approach to the ITC is our response to what we’ve heard: a desire for traffic relief and improved quality of life, connected and walkable neighborhoods, and a revitalized downtown reflecting Inglewood’s existing vibrant culture,” said Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts.
While the newly-updated ITC website doesn’t include much of the original rail plan, “future phases keep the door open for expanded transit connections, including a potential people mover,” they write. Now, we’ll have to wait and see if it eventually comes to fruition after the 2028 Olympics.
You can learn more about the new Inglewood Transit Connector project on their website.