LOS ANGELES : Ruling Leaves Plans for Red Line Intact

A Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday that transportation planners did not violate state environmental laws in approving the southward turn of the Metro Red Line, leaving plans for the line intact.

The Coalition for Rapid Transit citizens group had sued the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission--since superseded by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority--alleging that the panel had not adequately considered all route alternatives before making a decision.

Coalition attorney Corin Kahn had argued that in rejecting the Wilshire route, transit officials deprived decision-makers and the public of the chance to change their minds about the Wilshire extension until a more propitious time, scientifically and politically.

The 18.6-mile line will run beneath Wilshire Boulevard from downtown to Western Avenue, where it will turn south for 2.2 miles to end up at Pico Boulevard.