Transit Expansion in North America: A Look Ahead to 2026, and a 2025 Roundup

In 2026, new fixed-guideway transit lines are opening across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In this overview, I compile information about each of these projects, including: - Metro and monorail lines in Los Angeles, Monterrey, and Montréal (up to 23 miles in total). - Light rail lines in Ottawa, St. Louis, Seattle, and Toronto (32 miles in total). - Streetcar lines in Kansas City and Orange County (5 miles in total). - Regional or commuter rail lines in the Chicago suburbs and Mexico City (27 miles in total). - Bus rapid transit or arterial rapid transit routes in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Houston, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and San Bernardino (62 miles in total). - An aerial tramway line in Mexico City. - An automated people mover at the Los Angeles airport. This post is based on data compiled on Transit Explorer, the interactive website that assembles information about existing and planned fixed-guideway transit around the world. All of the projects here are mapped on Transit Explorer, which has been updated with data as of 2026 and now features more than 13,700 lines and 62,300 stations worldwide (pay to download the data here). At the end of this post, find a roundup of the projects that opened in the US, Canada, and Mexico in 2025. A full overview of the (much larger) number of transit projects opening around the world in 2026 is available here. Opening in 2026 Atlanta MARTA Rapid A-Line A 5 km (3.1 mile) bus rapid transit line from downtown to Carver/Atlanta Beltline, mostly along Hank Aaron Drive and adjacent to the Atlanta 1996 Olympics main stadium (also home to the Atlanta Braves for several decades). The line will include 85% dedicated lanes, 14 new stations, and buses every 10 to 12 minutes. The project cost $123 million, up from $59 million originally. About 2,400 daily riders are expected. Portions of the line could open during the summer for the World Cup. This project was originally expected to open in 2025. More information on MARTA’s website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: September 2026 Baton Rouge BRapid (Plank-Nicholson) A 15 km (9.3 mile) arterial rapid transit line running a north–south route from North Transfer Center to Louisiana State University, via downtown. Though it will not have dedicated lanes, the line will feature transit signal priority. The project will cost $39 million to complete. More information on the Move BR website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Mid–2026 Chicago Monon Corridor South Shore Line Extension (West Lake) This $945 million extension of the South Shore Line—an electrified commuter rail service connecting northwest Indiana with Chicago—will link Hammond with Munster and Dyer, all in Indiana, on a new line extending 13 km (8 miles). This project was originally expected to open in 2025. More information on the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Q1 2026 Houston 54 Scott BOOST Route A series of improvements along the city’s Scott Street will connect downtown with the MLK Health Center through 17.2 km (11 miles) of improvements, including better sidewalks and improved bus shelters, each connected to reliable service along the 54 Scott arterial rapid transit line. Portions of the project were completed in 2024. More information on the Metro Houston website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: August 2026 Kansas City Streetcar Waterfront Extension Kansas City’s Streetcar, which was extended south to the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 2025, will extend north by 1.1 km (0.7 miles) in 2026. The line, which cost $61 million to build, will add one new station, this time on the banks of the Missouri River, serving a new development area, Berkley Riverfront Park, and CPKC Stadium. More information on the project website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Early 2026 Las Vegas Maryland Parkway BRT Las Vegas’ RTC transit network is creating a new 20 km (12.5 mile) bus rapid transit route linking the Las Vegas Medical District and downtown with Reid Airport, via UNLV. The project also includes improved sidewalks, lighting, crosswalks, and landscaping. The project cost $378 million to complete. More information on the project website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Fall 2026 Los Angeles D Line Extension, Phase I This 6.3 km (3.9 mile) subway extension of Los Angeles’ D Line (née Purple Line) will bring the route west from the existing Wilshire/Western station to new stops at La Brea, Fairfax, and La Cienega. The $3.5 billion extension will serve the city’s museum district. Future phases opening in 2027 will add an additional 8.3 km (5.2 miles) and 4 stations; the full project will cost $9.7 billion. This project was originally expected to open in 2025. More information on the Los Angeles Metro website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Winter 2026 Los Angeles LAX Airport Connector In 2025, Los Angeles’ light rail network finally reached the outskirts of LAX Airport, but it won’t be until 2026 that riders can transfer directly to terminals. That will be made possible thanks to this elevated, $2.7 billion, 3.6 km (2.25 mile) automated people mover system, which will alight at 6 stations, including the LAX/Metro Transit Center, served by the C and K Lines. More information on the Los Angeles World Airports website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: June 2026 Mexico City El Insurgente (Observatorio section) This regional rail line—also known as the Mexico-Toluca Interurban Train—has been operating since 2023, but this final segment will finally link it with Mexico City’s Metro system. The 9 km (5.6 mile) extension, largely on an elevated alignment, will add a new stop at Observatorio, also served by the Metro Line 1. More information on the project website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Early 2026 Mexico City Lechería to AIFA Another regional rail line in Mexico City will connect the Buenavista terminal in the city with the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) north of the city. The route, which is a 22 km (13.7 mile) extension of an existing commuter rail service, will make the full trip in 43 minutes, arriving every 15 minutes. The line is expected to carry 82,000 daily riders, and includes a subway station at the airport terminal. More information on the government website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Q1 2026 Mexico City Mexicable Linea 3 This aerial tramway project—in the state of Mexico, outside of Mexico City itself—will create new connections from the Cuatro Caminos Metro station to neighborhoods to the west. Overall, 9.5 km (5.9 miles) of aerial lines will open, extending over two branches. The project is expected to serve 40,000 daily riders. This will be the third Mexicable line, and the sixth aerial tram line in the Mexico City region (the others are referred to as Cablebus). More information on the government website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: End of 2026 Monterrey Metrorrey Linea 4/6 Monterrey has two monorail lines now under construction—Linea 4 running west from the city center and Linea 6 running northeast. Together, the projects are planned to add 15.8 km (9.8 miles) to the city’s rapid transit network, which is now comprised of light rail lines. It is possible that only a portion of the project will open in 2026. More information on the government website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: 2026 Montréal REM Anse-à-l’Orme Branch Montréal’s new automated light metro system, whose central section opened in 2025, will expand again in 2026. The Anse-à-l’Orme branch (A3) will serve four new stations on the western side of Montréal island. The 15 km (9.3 mile) branch is being constructed along an elevated alignment adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway. This project was originally expected to open in 2024. More information on the REM website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Spring 2026 Orange County Ca OC Streetcar This 6.7 km (4.15 mile) streetcar line will connect the Santa Ana Transportation Center (served by Metrolink commuter trains and Amtrak) with downtown Santa Ana and Garden Grove. Trains will arrive every 10 to 15 minutes and alight at 10 stops. The project cost $649 million. This project was originally expected to open in 2025. More information on the Orange County Transportation Authority website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Spring 2026 Ottawa Line 1 East Extension Ottawa’s light rail network will extend another 12 km (7.5 miles) east from its current terminus. The extension will serve five new stations, all located adjacent to the 174 Highway. The extension will also be served by Line 3 once that line begins service in 2027. Portions of the extension were previously served by the Transitway BRT. More information on the OC Transpo website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Early 2026 St. Louis Red Line Metrolink Extension to MidAmerica Airport St. Louis’ Metrolink light rail system will extend by 8.4 km (5.2 miles) further into Illinois to serve MidAmerica Airport. The at-grade, $150 million project will include one new station at the airport terminal. MidAmerica is by far the less-used of the two St. Louis region airports; MidAmerica serves about 10 flights a day. More information on the St. Clair County Transit District website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Spring 2026 Salt Lake City Midvalley Express (MVX) South of Salt Lake City, the MVX project will bring bus rapid transit service to a 11 km (7 mile) route. The line will connect the Green Line light rail at West Valley Central with Murray Central, served by Blue and Red light rail lines and the FrontRunner commuter train. The $104 million project will include transit signal priority and dedicated bus lanes for a portion of the route. Service is expected every 15 minutes. The project also includes a network of bike and pedestrian paths. More information on the project website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Fall 2026 San Bernardino West Valley Connector (WVC) East of Los Angeles, San Bernardino is investing in a 31 km (19 mile) bus rapid transit line. The WVC will link Rancho Cucamonga with Ontario Airport, Montclair, and Pomona, where Los Angeles Metro A Line service is available. Connections to two Metrolink commuter rail lines will also be enabled. The $320 million project includes 3.5 miles of center-running, bus-only lanes in the central portion of the route. More information on the SBCTA website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Mid-2026 Seattle Link 2 Line (East Link Extension final phase) Seattle’s light rail network currently operates with the 1 Line running between Lynnwood and Federal Way via downtown Seattle, and the 2 Line running between Bellevue and Redmond. This 12 km (7.5 mile) project will link the lines, creating a corridor from Bellevue across Lake Washington to Seattle’s International District. The line will use the floating bridge shared with I–90 and serve two new stations, one on Mercer Island and the other in the Judkins Park neighborhood in Seattle. Trains will arrive every 8 minutes at rush hour. This project was originally expected to open in 2025. More information on the Sound Transit website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: April 2026 Toronto Line 5 (Eglinton Crosstown) Toronto’s newest rapid transit service will be a 19 km (11.8 mile) light rail service crossing the city from east to west. More than half of the line, which will serve 25 stops, is in a subway, with the rest running at grade in a median. The project was originally set for opening in 2020. Overall, the project’s cost has increased to $13 billion (CAD), which includes 30 years of maintenance. This is far more expensive than originally planned. More information on the Metrolinx website. Map the project on Transit Explorer. Opening: Early 2026 Roundup—Openings in 2025 The major fixed-guideway transit projects that opened in 2025 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico included the following: United States - Austin: Expo Center and Pleasant Valley Rapid Lines (arterial rapid transit). 43 km (27 miles) of new service, costing about $70 million to complete. Both lines together are expected to serve about 17,000 daily riders. - Bay Area: SMART Train Extension to Windsor (commuter rail). A 5 km (3 mile) extension to Windsor station, bringing the service further north. Project cost: about $65 million. - Boston: South Coast Rail Phase 1 to Fall River and New Bedford (commuter rail). This $1 billion new line added 60 km (37 miles) of new service to two cities in the southeastern parts of Massachusetts. The line is expected to serve 2,300 daily riders. - Dallas: Silver Line (regional rail). This new circumferential line cost $1.1 billion to complete and is expected to serve 5,600 daily riders. It links the DFW Airport with Plano along a 45 km (28 mile) route. - Honolulu: Skyline (automated light metro). This line, which originally opened in 2023, was extended from Halawa/Aloha Stadium to Kahauiki/Middle Street along an 8 km (5 mile) elevated alignment. A final stage of the project, heading downtown, is expected to open by 2030. - Kansas City: Streetcar Extension. This $260 million project extended the existing route via Main Street to the University of Missouri at Kansas City along 6 km (3.7 miles) of new line. - Los Angeles: A Line extension to Pomona (light rail). This 15 km (9.3 mile) addition to the A Line made the route the longest light rail line in the world. - Los Angeles: C and K Line airport extension (light rail). Los Angeles Metro added 2 km (1.2 miles) to its Crenshaw Line project, connecting the C Line from the south and the K Line from the north to the new LAX Metro Transit Center. The route will link to the airport people mover, opening in 2026. - Phoenix: B Line (light rail). This new north-south route, previously known as the South Central Corridor, cost $1.3 billion to complete. The 10 km (6.2 miles) of service made it feasible to create a second light rail route for the Phoenix region. - Twin Cities: B Line (arterial rapid transit). This Metro Transit route, built for $60 million, links Minneapolis and St. Paul along a 19 km (11.8 mile) alignment. - Twin Cities: E Line (arterial rapid transit). The E Line, a 21.4 km (13.3 mile) route, runs between suburban Edina and downtown Minneapolis. - Twin Cities: Gold Line (bus rapid transit). This 18 km (11 mile) route connects downtown St. Paul with suburban Woodbury to the east. - Seattle: Link 1 Line to Federal Way (light rail). This 13 km (8 mile) line extends the existing light rail system to the south. It is expected to serve 32,000 daily riders. - Seattle: Link 2 Line to Downtown Redmond (light rail). This 5 km (3 mile) extension brought rail service from Bellevue into the rapidly developing downtown Redmond. Canada - Montréal: REM Central Segment and Deux Montagnes Branch (automated light metro). This project added 30 km (18.6 miles) to the city’s growing REM network. It reused infrastructure that had been previously used for a commuter rail line. - Ottawa: Lines 2 and 4 (light rail). OC Transpo extended the preexisting Trillum to the south, creating the Line 2 to South Keys and Line 4 to the airport. The project added a total of 14 km (8.7 miles). - Toronto: Line 6 (light rail). This 11 km (6.8 mile) route runs along Finch Avenue. The $1.2 billion (CAN) project is expected to serve 40,000 daily riders. Mexico - Campeche: Tren Ligero (bus rapid transit, despite the name). This 15 km (9.3 mile) new line connects the city center with the Tren Maya intercity rail service. - Guadalajara: Linea 4 (light rail). Guadalajara’s light rail network extended by an additional 20 km (12.4 miles). The project is expected to serve 104,000 daily riders. 4 replies on “Transit Expansion in North America: A Look Ahead to 2026, and a 2025 Roundup” My annual thanks for this blessing of an annual NA Transit Project Openings post. Great to see progress being made, and the trends over the years (more BRT lines recently, & much fewer subway/metro openings & extensions. LBM you left out this project in Charleston, SC: https://lowcountryrapidtransit.com/ ” with suburban Woodbury to the west. ” Just a lil’ housekeeping for Metro Transit’s Gold Line, Woodbury is to the east. Thanks for pointing that out — I corrected it.