Crews are installing emergency water sprinkler pipes on the top arch of the subway station roofs as a safety precaution. (photo courtesy of Metro)

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority is working on the Purple Line Extension project at many locations along Wilshire Boulevard between Wilshire/Western and the Westwood/VA Hospital station.

Section one of the project between Wilshire/Western and Wilshire/ La Cienega is anticipated to open in late 2024. The segment will provide service to the Wilshire/LA Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega subway stations. Section two of the project is expected to be complete by 2025 and will include the Wilshire/Rodeo and Century City/Constellation stations. Section three with the Westwood/UCLA and Westwood/VA Hospital station is expected to open in 2027.

At the eastern end of the project, crews are working at Wilshire and Rimpau Boulevards on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Temporary traffic control will be in place to support subsurface investigation. Full closures of Rimpau Boulevard at Wilshire Boulevard may be required. Access to the residential properties will be maintained on side streets north and south of Wilshire Boulevard.

At Wilshire/La Brea, street restoration work will be ongoing through June. Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Highland and La Brea avenues.

Near Wilshire/Fairfax crews are working on the subway station in a staging yard near Wilshire Boulevard and Ogden Drive and on Wilshire Boulevard near Wilshire/Fairfax. Wilshire Boulevard has been reduced to two lanes in each direction in the area. Work is also occurring on Wilshire Boulevard between Spaulding Avenue and San Diego Way, and in a K-rail enclosure in the center of Wilshire Boulevard west of La Jolla Avenue.

Metro is continuing weekend decking removal near Wilshire/La Cienega, with four additional weekend closures planned on Wilshire Boulevard. Concrete panels are being removed and the roadway is being restored. Wilshire Boulevard will be completely closed from 9 p.m. on Friday through 6 a.m. on Monday between San Vicente and La Cienega boulevards. Motorists are advised to use San Vicente or Robertson boulevards to Burton Way as a detour.

Crews are also building passageways and rooms adjacent to the Wilshire/La Cienega subway station. Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between La Cienega and San Vicente boulevards, and left turns will be restricted at Gale and Hamilton drives. Construction is occurring in a K-rail work zone on the south side of Wilshire Boulevard just east of La Cienega Boulevard.

At the Wilshire/Rodeo station, Southern California Edison is installing permanent power feeds and crews are building adjacent rooms and passageways. Wilshire Boulevard may be reduced to one lane in each direction overnight and on weekends within the work area.

For the next two months, crews will be conducting potholing activities on South Beverly Drive at Wilshire Boulevard. Anticipated work hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends.

At the Westwood/UCLA, subway station is expected to continue throughout the summer from 10 p.m.- 6 a.m., Monday through Friday. Crews will continue working on storm drain catch basins and begin on the junction structure for the future Westwood/UCLA station. The work will occur in the southern portion of the Wilshire Boulevard and Gayley Avenue/Midvale Avenue intersection. For questions and concerns about the Purple Line Extension project, call the 24-hour project hotline at (213)922-6934, email the project team at purplelineext@ metro.net, or visit metro.net.