Two machines will tunnel toward Beverly Hills from the Wilshire/La Brea staging yard and future subway station. (photo courtesy of Metro)

Metro construction continues on the Purple Line Extension project, with work occurring at many locations along the route.

Construction in Beverly Hills progresses toward the future Wilshire/Rodeo and Wilshire/La Cienega subway stations. Eastbound Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to one lane between Hamilton Drive and San Vicente Boulevard on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Through traffic at San Vicente Boulevard will be maintained, and motorists will be able to access driveways along the route.

Near the Metro construction staging yard near Wilshire Boulevard and Canon Drive, a new traffic signal is being installed to address traffic impacts caused by a closure of Canon Drive just north of Wilshire Boulevard. The Canon Drive closure will be in place through at least September 2021. Motorists will not be able to access Canon from Wilshire Boulevard. Pedestrian access will be maintained on both sides of Canon Drive.

Beginning on Sept. 23, piling work is expected to begin on the north side of Wilshire Boulevard between Beverly and Crescent Drives. Piling involves drilling and installing steel beams around the perimeter of the future underground station to provide support during excavation.

Prior to drilling, Wilshire Boulevard will be reconfigured to two lanes in each direction between Beverly and Crescent drives. A K-rail barrier will be in place until the work is completed in April 2020.

Hauling, excavation, instrumentation and street restoration will also continue at the Wilshire/La Cienega staging yard. Concrete and rebar deliveries to the La Cienega station box are occurring and intermittent lane reductions, turn restrictions and sidewalk closures may be necessary.

Through Sunday, Oct. 6, Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between San Diego Way and La Jolla Avenue for utility and tunnel investigation.

Excavation, hauling and station construction also continues near Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue and may require intermittent closures of Ogden Drive at Wilshire Boulevard. The closures are needed to support deck panel maintenance and investigations in the Wilshire/Fairfax station area.

Hauling, deliveries and tunneling support is also ongoing near Wilshire/La Brea. Intermittent lane closures may occur along Wilshire Boulevard between Highland Avenue and Detroit Street. Tunneling support is also occurring at a work zone in the center of Wilshire Boulevard between Sycamore Avenue and Orange Drive. Wilshire Boulevard will be intermittently reduced to one lane between Sycamore and Mansfield avenues. Sycamore Avenue may be closed at Wilshire Boulevard to support truck staging at the center opening.

A new work zone will be in place on Wilshire Boulevard on the west side of the intersection with Rimpau Boulevard. Barriers will be placed between traffic lanes and the work zone, which is anticipated to be in place for 10-12 months. Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Muirfield Road and June Street.

Excavation, concrete and street maintenance work is also occurring near Wilshire/Western, where twin tunneling machines were dismantled, removed from the ground and transported to the Wilshire/La Brea staging yard. Extended 24-hour work hours in the staging yards is expected to continue in October for the installation of tunnel segments. Single lane closures will occur intermittently between Western Avenue and Manhattan Place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For questions and concerns, call the 24-hour project hotline at (213)922-6934, email the project team at purplelineext@metro.net, or visit metro.net.