L.A. Metro officials and local elected leaders kicked off progress towards the new Southeast Gateway Line with a groundbreaking ceremony in Artesia on Wednesday.

The event was to commemorate the start of utility relocation required for the project. Though actual construction of the station is not anticipated to begin for several years, the utility work marks a crucial first step to the highly anticipated rail line which will connect Artesia with Union Station in Los Angeles, through Cerritos, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, South Gate, Cudahy, Bell, Huntington Park, Vernon, and unincorporated Florence-Firestone.

Supervisor Janice Hahn called Artesia “where it starts or where it ends.”

“Because today’s groundbreaking is the first construction phase of this major project, residents from a dozen communities this line will serve will start to see construction underway, and they will know that this project is absolutely underway; something that has been promised to this region for decades,” said Hahn. “This region needs this project.”

Rep. Robert Garcia said the rail line was “the most important transportation project in the region.”

“This is a win not just for Artesia, it’s a win for the southeast cities, it’s a win for Los Angeles, it’s a win for Long Beach,” he said. “Everyone benefits from this project, and I am incredibly proud to support it.”

Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco said the region “deserves the investment.”

“For decades, our communities have been underserved by transit. They have faced the burdens of industrial pollution, and traffic congestion,” said Pacheco. “The Southeast Gateway line will improve mobility, and strengthen the very fabric of our neighborhoods.”

Senator Bob Archuleta presented a $231 million check for the project, which had been announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this month. He commended many of the elected officials from the cities that the southeast rail line will run through, many of which have lobbied for the project.

“When we think about this project, we have to think about leadership,” said Archuleta. “These are the leaders who’ve said, ‘Listen to our constituents. It will happen. Give us support.’”