BEVERLY HILLS/WESTWOOD—Progress is being made to the LA Metro Purple Line Metro Extension which will provide a quicker ride from Downtown Los Angeles to the Westside region. The high speed rail network will stretch nine miles east to west, providing convenient travel between DTLA, the Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills, and Westwood.
The project is being completed in three sections. Construction for the first section, which travels from Wilshire/Western to Wilshire/La Cienega, began late last month. Expect traffic slowdowns on Westbound Wilshire in the coming weeks.
Section two of the Purple Line Extension will follow the path to downtown Beverly Hills and Century City. This portion is in the pre-construction phase. Its funding is expected to be fulfilled by federal grants and the 2008 Los Angeles County sales tax hike.
The final section will bring the subway to two stations in Westwood. Pre-construction will begin this spring thanks to funds received from a 2016 tax increase passed by county voters. The budget for phase three has not been met, so LA Metro is currently fighting to secure the federal funding needed.
“We are closer than ever to making this project a reality” reads a mission statement on the project’s website. “Connecting key parts of the Westside to the region’s growing rail network and improving mobility for everyone who lives, works and plays in Los Angeles County.”
City officials indicated that the entire system will be up and running by 2026, allowing two years to complete any issues before the city of Los Angeles host the 2028 Olympics. The expected travel time between Downtown Los Angeles and Westwood is expected to take 25 minutes.
