Crews are working 24-hours in a staging yard at Wilshire/Western, the current terminus of the Purple Line subway route. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Construction on Metro’s Purple Line Extension project continues as an essential activity during the COVID-19 emergency. Significant progress has occurred in the city of Beverly Hills, which allowed a full closure of Wilshire Boulevard between El Camino and Crescent drives to expedite piling during the public health emergency.

The closure was allowed because of a decrease in traffic flow and has allowed for faster completion of piling on the south side of Wilshire Boulevard. That piling was originally expected to be completed in August but is now on track for completion in early May.

“While we recognize this work is some of the most difficult and impactful to date, it is happening at a more rapid pace and will reduce future congestion in our busy business district when merchants reopen following the COVID-19 emergency,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Lester Friedman.  “We appreciate the community’s patience as crews complete this complex project as quickly and safely as possible.”

Work hours, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for drilling, and 9 to 11 p.m. for non-drilling activities, were not adjusted for the expedited construction and remain in accordance with agreements between Metro and the city of Beverly Hills. The project includes new hauling hours between 7 and 9 a.m., and 4 and 7 p.m. Metro may work on non-religious holidays including Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day.

Soft closures will be in place along Wilshire Boulevard within the detour area and local access to businesses will be maintained.

Work is also progressing at other locations along the project route. Near Wilshire/La Cienega, station construction, material deliveries and instrumentation are ongoing. Work hours are Monday through Saturday, 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Gale Drive will be intermittently closed at Wilshire Boulevard to support construction in the Gale staging yard. Access to Gale Drive will be maintained from San Vicente Boulevard.

Near Wilshire/Crescent Heights and Wilshire/La Jolla, utility and tunnel investigation continues during off-peak hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., weekends. One-and two-lane closures may be necessary along Wilshire Boulevard between San Diego Way and San Vicente Boulevard.

Station construction, hauling and concrete pouring also continue near Wilshire/Fairfax. Ogden Drive will be closed intermittently at Wilshire Boulevard, Monday through Saturday. Orange Grove Avenue continues to be closed south of Wilshire Boulevard through June.

Tunneling support, hauling and deliveries are ongoing near Wilshire/La Brea and a work zone in the center of Wilshire Boulevard just east of Sycamore Avenue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Saturday. Intermittent lane closures may be necessary between Highland Avenue and Detroit Street for construction support.

Sycamore Avenue will be closed north of Wilshire Boulevard from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Westbound Wilshire Boulevard may be intermittently reduced to a single lane between Mansfield and Sycamore Avenues from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A work zone in the center of Wilshire Boulevard just west of Rimpau Boulevard will remain in place through September. Wilshire Boulevard has been reduced to two lanes in each direction between June Street and Muirfield Road.

Near Wilshire/Western, work is occurring 24 hours at a staging yard just west of the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue. Northbound Manhattan Place will be closed intermittently just north of Wilshire Boulevard. Intermittent single-lane closures may also occur on Wilshire Boulevard between Western Avenue and Manhattan Place.

Metro will hold a webinar on Wednesday, May 6, from noon to 1 p.m. with information and updates on construction on the Purple Line Extension. The webinar will serve as the regular monthly meeting usually held at Beverly Hills City Hall. To participate, call (872)240-3412, and use the access code 155-342-909.

Metro is also holding a webinar on the downtown Regional Connector project on Wednesday, April 29, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. For information, call (323)466-3876, ext. 3. 

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.