The Regional Connector, shown by a dotted line, was designed to make it easier to travel through downtown L.A. (photo courtesy of Metro)

Work on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Purple Line Extension project continues at many locations along Wilshire Boulevard.

Section one of the project between Wilshire/Western and Wilshire/ La Cienega is anticipated to open in late 2024 with 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.

Through August, subsurface investigation is ongoing near Wilshire and Rimpau boulevards on weekends from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. 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.

Street restoration work will be ongoing through June at Wilshire/La Brea. Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Highland and La Brea avenues. A K-rail work zone remains in place on the south side of Wilshire Boulevard between La Brea and Mansfield 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.

Beginning on June 25 and continuing for approximately two years, Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes in each direction at La Jolla Avenue. The traffic lane configuration allows for a K-rail enclosure on the west side of the Wilshire/La Jolla intersection, where crews will build a cross passage between the twin subway tunnels.

Metro is continuing weekend decking removal on Wilshire Boulevard between Tower and Hamilton drives. 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.

Beginning the weekend of June 30-July 3 and continuing for 10 weekends, deck panels will be removed on Wilshire Boulevard between Hamilton Drive and the intersection of La Cienega and Wilshire boulevards. 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.

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.

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

Utility work and station excavation is also ongoing at the Century City/Constellation station through June. Crews are relocating a sewer and storm drain in the project area. Left turns are restricted from northbound Avenue of the Stars onto westbound Constellation Boulevard, and Avenue of the Stars will be reduced to one lane north and southbound at Constellation Boulevard.

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 in the southern portion of the Wilshire Boulevard and Gayley Avenue/Midvale Avenue intersection. Traffic restrictions will be implemented on Wilshire Boulevard between Veteran and Gayley avenues. Instrumentation is also being installed on Westwood Boulevard in stages between Ashton Avenue and Lindbrook Drive

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.