U.S. House of Representatives removes $200M earmarked for Inglewood Transit Connector from budget

Inglewood Transit Connector funding in jeopardy as U.S. House of Representatives removes $200 million earmark

The future of the Inglewood Transit Connector, a $2 billion automated people mover project linking the Metro K line to SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome, is now uncertain after the U.S. House of Representatives removed $200 million earmarked for the project from its version of the Department of Transportation budget.

The sudden shift in funding came just days after Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, expressed strong opposition to the project in a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and House Appropriations Committee ranking members. Waters criticized the project’s cost and lack of benefits for the local community, stating that it primarily serves as a connector to sports and entertainment venues without providing significant public service connectivity.

Despite the setback, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. remains optimistic about the project’s future. He emphasized that the House’s decision does not “mean a damn thing” and highlighted the support of the state’s senators for the project. Butts believes that Inglewood will ultimately secure the necessary funding for the project.

The Inglewood Transit Connector aims to reduce traffic congestion, vehicle miles traveled, and greenhouse gas emissions in the region while creating 17,000 jobs and generating $868 million in wages. However, Waters and some critics argue that the project could displace residents and small businesses, diverting resources from essential community needs.

With the Senate Appropriations Committee set to discuss the Department of Transportation budget later this month, the fate of the Inglewood Transit Connector lies in the hands of lawmakers. Despite the funding challenges, Inglewood remains hopeful that the project will move forward and bring significant benefits to the community.