Advancing equity and improving transportation options in Los Angeles

Running east–west between Los Angeles International Airport and eastern Los Angeles County, Interstate 105 is a vital regional connector. Every day, it carries commuters, transit riders, freight and travelers while running through some of the most diverse and historically underserved communities in the region. While the freeway provides vital regional connectivity, congestion, limited travel options and infrastructure gaps have strained both mobility and quality of life for residents along the corridor.

To address these challenges, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) in partnership with Caltrans, is modernizing the freeway through the I-105 ExpressLanes project, which is converting existing high occupancy vehicle lanes into two dynamically priced express lanes in each direction. Once the express lanes are in operation, a portion of the net toll revenue will be reinvested for mobility improvements within three miles of the corridor.

To guide those future investments, LA Metro launched a first‑of‑its‑kind Equity Assessment Study to identify transportation improvements shaped directly by community needs.

The proposed improvements include active transportation means like walking and biking, and transit and roadway projects to enhance mobility, accessibility and connectivity for all users. Jacobs is supporting this transformation with technical and equity planning expertise, supporting LA Metro to deliver a project where congestion management and community investment progress together. 

Designing mobility that reinvests in communities

A defining feature of the I‑105 ExpressLanes project is its equity‑first approach. The Segment 1 Equity Assessment, stretching from Sepulveda Boulevard to Central Avenue, is setting the foundation. Completed in 2024, it evaluated potential projects using a community‑informed framework that considered equity, access, safety, sustainability and long‑term benefit. Building on this, the Segment 2 and 3 Equity Assessments were completed in 2025. Nearly half of the identified projects were ranked as high priority, with an emphasis on corridor‑wide improvements, transit access, active transportation and safety near LA Metro rail and bus rapid transit stations.

An essential element of the equity assessments was a series of monthly roundtable meetings with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that serve the I‑105 corridor. These meetings — engaging 16 CBOs for Segment 1 and 21 for Segments 2 and 3 — provided a forum for participants to offer input on existing conditions, the scoring framework and project prioritization. In addition, field visits were conducted to gather on‑the‑ground observations and identify transportation gaps.

This equity assessment ensures that travel‑time savings generated on the freeway translate into tangible improvements for surrounding neighborhoods, from better pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to enhanced transit access and local roadway upgrades.

Jacobs supports LA Metro with existing conditions analysis, community engagement and project identification to guide the reinvestment of future net toll revenues generated by the I-105 ExpressLanes.

A corridor built for choice and reliability

Once complete, the I‑105 ExpressLanes will broaden travel options while improving safety and reliability for hundreds of thousands of daily users. Dynamic pricing will help maintain target travel speeds, enabling express bus service and reliable carpool travel, while solo drivers gain the option to pay for faster trips when needed.

Equally important, the future net toll revenues will be reinvested back into the corridor to fund mobility improvements that support transit, active transportation and community connectivity. By identifying potential transportation projects ahead of the I105 ExpressLanes opening and the availability of toll revenue, local jurisdictions can confidently begin environmental review, community engagement and project development activities, knowing that a dedicated funding source will soon be in place to support these projects. The result is a transportation system designed not only to move people efficiently on freeways, but to deliver improved quality of life and lasting benefits for communities in South Los Angeles, the Gateway Cities and the South Bay.

Managing complexity along a critical freeway

The I‑105 ExpressLanes are being delivered in three phased segments from Sepulveda Boulevard to Studebaker Road. Segment 1 is currently under construction and is scheduled to open by 2028. This timeline aligns with LA Metro’s Twenty‑Eight by ’28 initiative, which accelerates major transportation investments ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

During the Games, the I‑105 corridor will play a critical role in connecting visitors, workers and athletes to Los Angeles International Airport, regional venues and surrounding communities. Beyond 2028, the express lanes will continue to improve trip reliability, reduce congestion spillover onto local streets and support increased use of carpools, transit and high‑occupancy travel options.

Jacobs’ work on the I-105 ExpressLanes Equity Assessment builds on a deep legacy of delivering transformative projects across Los Angeles County. From expanding connectivity through LA Metro’s D Line Extension and planning for the Potrero Canyon Pedestrian Bridge, to delivering the first fully automated terminal on the U.S. West Coast at the Port of Los Angeles, our teams have consistently helped shape the region’s future. We’ve supported STEAM education through the SEED School of Los Angeles County, advanced sustainability with the city’s RecycLA waste and recycling program, reimagined connectivity with the Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement and continue to provide program management on the Los Angeles Community College District’s $15.1 billion BuildLACCD Bond Program.