Los Angeles traffic is expected to be bad outside of Crypto.com Arena on Friday, October 25.
Los Angeles, California – In a move that has disappointed many residents but surprised few, Los Angeles officials have scrapped a major $2.4 billion light-rail project intended to boost public transit options ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. The Inglewood Transit Connector Project (ITC), once touted as a key infrastructure upgrade for the global event, will now be replaced with a shuttle bus system following pushback from local businesses and influential developers.
Initially, the ITC envisioned a 1.6-mile automated light-rail line running above street level, offering a sleek and efficient way to connect travelers to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the California Science Center, and USC. The system was meant to enhance mobility during the Olympics and improve long-term public transit access in a historically underserved area. However, officials with LA Metro confirmed Monday that the light-rail component has been removed from the project’s timeline.
Instead, the city will roll out new shuttle bus routes paired with “enhanced smart traffic technology” in a staggered plan meant to be in place by the time the Olympics begin. The original rail design is gone from official project updates and Q&A materials, replaced by language emphasizing flexibility and community input.
“The rephased plan is based on insights gained through engagement with the Inglewood community,” the project’s statement said, citing workshops and meetings with residents and business owners.
The decision has sparked criticism from transit advocates who saw the rail project as a rare opportunity to modernize and expand Los Angeles’ fragmented public transit network. Many see the downgrade as emblematic of a city that often prioritizes private development interests over long-term infrastructure needs.
Much of the opposition to the rail plan came from powerful local stakeholders, including Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke and LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. A spokesperson for Kroenke claimed the project could have “threatened the future development” of adjacent business properties, leading to friction that some believe swayed the final decision.
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts defended the change, saying, “With the world watching us as we prepare to host the 2028 Olympics, we’re also looking inward—listening to our community and taking strategic steps to deliver on what matters most.”
While city leaders frame the shift as community-driven, many Angelenos are frustrated at the missed opportunity to create a lasting, efficient transit solution. For a city notorious for traffic congestion and car dependency, the loss of the light-rail project feels like one more setback in the quest for a truly connected Los Angeles.
