Major Temporary Closures Coming to Los Angeles Metro Rail

Metro will close several stretches of the Blue and Green lines as it completes $350 million worth of upgrades and opens the new Crenshaw Line. More than 100,000 daily riders may be inconvenienced.

1 minute read

January 7, 2019, 9:00 AM PST

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Long Beach to Los Angeles

Brad Davis, AICP / Flickr

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is rushing "to complete 28 rail and roadway projects by 2028, the year the Olympic Summer Games come to Los Angeles," Steve Scauzillo writes. The new Crenshaw Line (set to open in 2020) is one of them, as well as $350 million in upgrades to the Blue Line, L.A.'s first light rail system.

Unfortunately, that means a series of closures along the Blue and Green lines, starting on January 4 and lasting through September. Scauzillo includes specific closure durations in the article. 

While shuttle buses are being deployed to help riders complete their trips while trains aren't running, figures like Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia are worried that "many constituents would simply drive instead of hassling the train/shuttle service. That would cause a loss of train ridership, plus add congestion to local streets and additional smog emissions to the air," Scauzillo writes. 

Meanwhile, planned upgrades to the north-south Blue Line include "replacing the overhead power system; new tracks in some segments; adding four crossover tracks to reduce service interruptions and upgrading train control signals."

See also:

Monday, December 31, 2018 in Long Beach Press-Telegram

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

3 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

5 hours ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

5 hours ago - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.