Construction on the entrance is ongoing at the future subway station at Wilshire/La Brea. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is advising residents and motorists about work occurring along Wilshire Boulevard on the Purple Line, also known as the D Line.

Crews are working underground and at street level at many locations along the route. At the eastern end of the project, crews are restoring the streetscape near Wilshire/La Brea. Through March 2024, intermittent closures on Detroit Street at Wilshire Boulevard may be implemented to support ongoing street restoration work. Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Highland and La Brea avenues.

Construction is also ongoing at the Wilshire/Fairfax station. Northbound Orange Grove Avenue will be closed south of Wilshire Boulevard to support construction of the future Wilshire/Fairfax station entrance. Southbound traffic from Wilshire Boulevard to Eighth Street will be maintained. Crews are also working in a K-rail work zone along the south side of Wilshire Boulevard near Fairfax Avenue and lane closures may be implemented. Wilshire will be reduced to two lanes in each direction at La Jolla Avenue, and left turns from eastbound Wilshire Boulevard to northbound La Jolla Avenue will be restricted. Street parking will also be restricted between San Diego Way and La Jolla Avenue.

At Wilshire/La Cienega, street restoration work will be ongoing in January. The sidewalk will be closed on the north side of Wilshire Boulevard between Hamilton Drive and La Cienega Boulevard, and a K-rail work zone is along the street’s north side. Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes between La Cienega and San Vicente boulevards and intermittently reduced to a single lane during off-peak hours. North Hamilton and Gale drives may also be intermittently closed at Wilshire Boulevard.

Work is also ongoing at and around the Wilshire/Rodeo subway station. A full closure of South Canon Drive from Wilshire Boulevard to about 150 feet south has been implemented for decking, excavation and concrete work. South Beverly Drive will also be reduced to one lane in each direction at Wilshire Boulevard. Station deck access will be required. Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in each direction between El Camino and Crescent drives.

Work is anticipated to begin Jan. 15 in the alleyway by the North Cañon Yard adjacent to the AKA Hotel and is anticipated to last two weeks. Pile and excavation support will primarily occur in the Cañon yard, with a temporary noise barrier surrounding the work area. Westbound Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to support the work. Access to the North Canon Yard alley from Wilshire Boulevard will be closed during the work. Traffic will need to exit the alley on the north end at Clifton Way, and flaggers will be at the site.

At the Century City/ Constellation station, utility work is ongoing. Crews are expected to complete sewer and storm drain relocation by the end of the first quarter of 2024. Concrete pours for the base invert level of the station and the exterior walls have begun. Partial traffic lane closures are in place on Constellation Boulevard to facilitate station excavation, hauling and material delivery. Eastbound and westbound vehicle access on Constellation Boulevard is being maintained between Century Park West and Century Park East.

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.