An emergency drill simulating a hazardous material release will be held on Nov. 15 at the Wilshire/La Brea Metro station. (photo by Edwin Folven )

A large group of law enforcement and fire department personnel will descend on Wilshire Boulevard and La Brea Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 15, for an emergency drill at the new Metro subway station. 

The drill, which starts at 7 a.m., is part of the process to open the D Line subway extension project and is required by the California Public Utilities Commission. Metro is notifying the public to expect lane closures around the intersection and many sirens and police and fire department vehicles. 

Multiple street and lane closures will begin at 6 a.m. on Nov. 15 near Wilshire/La Brea. The westbound curbside lane on Wilshire Boulevard will be closed between La Brea Avenue and Detroit Street, and the curb lane on northbound Detroit Street north of Wilshire Boulevard will also be closed. Two southbound lanes of La Brea Avenue will be closed between Sixth Street and Wilshire Boulevard, and one lane of northbound La Brea Avenue will be closed between Wilshire Boulevard and Carling Way, a block north of Wilshire Boulevard. All streets in the area are expected to reopen by 2 p.m.

Personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Metro Operations and Metro Department of Public Safety will participate in the drill, as well as medical personnel. The emergency drill simulates a situation where someone criminally releases a hazardous material in the train station, such as a terrorist attack. The exercise is expected to include a controlled smoke release. The station remains closed to members of the public, who are advised to avoid the area on the morning of Nov. 15. 

“The California Public Utilities Commission requires emergency drills and exercises as part of the safety certification process for all new rail lines and rail extensions,” read a statement from Metro. “This emergency drill simulates a hazardous material release and its exposure on a train. It involves [a] response to a subway criminal intent scenario from local and federal first responder and hazmat agencies.” 

The drills are standard prior to the opening of any new subway or rail stations. Additional emergencies drills will be held in the future at other stations on the D Line ahead of the anticipated opening to Wilshire/La Cienega in the first quarter of 2026. 

For information, visit metro.net/projects/westside.