The new segment of the subway will run to the new Wilshire/La Cienega station. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The subway will soon be barreling underneath Wilshire Boulevard, generating a buzz from Western to La Cienega. Metro announced the May 8 opening of the first segment of the D Line subway extension at the Feb. 26 Metro Board meeting.

“This moment signals a new era of mobility for Los Angeles and a proud milestone for Metro,” Metro Board Chair Fernando Dutra said. “Think about what it means as far as transportation. A trip from Downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills in just 21 minutes. That’s transformative, that’s reliable and affordable. That is the kind of world-class transit system Angelenos deserve and it’s about time.”

The 3.92-mile first segment of the D Line extension serves Wilshire Center, Windsor Square, Hancock Park, the Miracle Mile, Fairfax District and Beverly Hills, with stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega. The opening comes after more than 10 years of construction and decades of planning.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District, called the subway opening a “new chapter” for the Miracle Mile and is working to activate areas around the stations with public events. She announced on March 1 that the subway stations will have coffee vendors.

“Each of the new D Line stations will open with a coffee vendor. It may sound small, but active stations with regular foot traffic feel safer and more connected to the community,” Yaroslavsky said. “You can feel the energy returning. My team is meeting with property owners along the corridor to encourage activation of vacant storefronts and long-stalled sites. Transit access and cultural investment are converging at the same moment. This is an opportunity to shape Miracle Mile into a corridor that works better for residents, visitors and the cultural institutions and businesses that give it life.”

Yaroslavsky’s spokesman Leo Daube said plans for activations are still being formulated, and more news will be available ahead of the May 8 opening.

“The stations have public plazas and the question is, ‘how do we fill them with activities?’ We want them to be community spaces. We’re working to bring farmers’ markets and maybe things like salsa dancing,” Daube added.

Many residents along the new subway line are excited about the May 8 opening date. Some recounted the years of construction, but remain optimistic about opportunities the subway will provide.

“Seems like just yesterday that the borer machine got delayed for six months because of that mysterious ‘anomaly’ under the intersection of Wilshire and San Vicente. Also feels like construction took a hundred years. Hard to believe the renaissance of our stretch of Wilshire is here,” said Carthay Circle resident Ann Rubin, who led an effort to get the neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “I hope a lot of people will be open minded about trying the new subway stations so we can get some of the cars off the streets. We’re going to need reliable bus service that provides useful connections. I am looking forward to taking the subway for some destinations – particularly downtown – without the soul crushing experience of driving.

Rubin added that she is concerned about pedestrian safety around the subway stations, stating that mitigation measures may be necessary such as additional signage, enforcement and possibly officers to direct traffic. Safety is also a concern in the Miracle Mile, which is served by the Wilshire/La Brea and Wilshire/Fairfax stations.

“From what I’m hearing from people in the neighborhood, everyone is excited. But the concern we have is the security issue. Anywhere there is mass transit, you have those concerns about crime,” said Kari Garcia, vice president of the Miracle Mile Homeowners Association. “The fact that something is opening that is new and exciting is great, plus LACMA is opening (on April 19). But with a lot of vacant storefronts in the area, it’s not a good vibe. We are really hoping they will address the blight. We would love for this to be the Larchmont of Wilshire.”

Construction is simultaneously underway on the second and third segments of the project. Section two includes the Beverly Drive and Century City stations and is scheduled to open in spring 2027. Section three includes the UCLA/Westwood and Westwood/VA Hospital stations and is scheduled to open in fall 2027. The entire line between Downtown Los Angeles and Westwood is scheduled to open before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

“We are looking forward to the opening of Metro’s Wilshire/La Cienega station in May,” Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian said. “This is an exciting milestone for Beverly Hills and an important step forward in mobility as we prepare to welcome the world for the 2028 Olympics. It also creates an opportunity for thoughtful planning and investment as we look to revitalize the southeast part of our city. At the same time, we are taking a strong proactive approach by working closely with the Beverly Hills Police Department and our regional partners to ensure this Metro station is safe, well managed and a positive experience for our residents and visitors alike.”

Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said the D Line will open new pathways for commuters to get to work and residents and visitors to explore the city.

“Angelenos and visitors alike will love the extended service from Downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills, delivering greater access to the iconic and culturally diverse communities, institutions and destinations that define the deep history along Wilshire Boulevard,” Wiggins said. “The stations are filled with beautiful artwork making the journey to one’s destination an experience in itself. I can’t wait for everyone to enjoy and discover the vibrance of mid-Wilshire without the traffic.”