Los Angeles Breaks Ground on Purple Line Subway Extension


The long awaited groundbreaking for work on Los Angeles’s Purple Line Extension commenced. The project is expected to open in 2023.

1 minute read

November 8, 2014, 11:00 AM PST

By Maayan Dembo @DJ_Mayjahn


Metro Map

Oran Viriyincy / Flickr

Decades in the works, the groundbreaking for the Los Angeles Purple Line extension began on Friday morning in an event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. According to Dave Sotero of The Source, unlike the pair of groundbreakings held in 1962 as attempts to fundraise for the project, this one is the real deal.



With joint funding from a 2008 voter-approved half-cent sales tax, a $1.25 billion federal grant, and an $856 million loan, the 3.9-mile first phase of the project will culminate with three new stations extending from the Purple Line’s current Wilshire/ Western terminus: Wilshire/ La Brea, Wilshire/ Fairfax, and Wilshire/ La Cienega.

The first phase will likely open to the public in 2023. 

Currently, Metro is working on a federal grant and loan to fund the second phase of the Purple Line Extension, taking subway riders into downtown Beverly Hills and Century City.

Friday, November 7, 2014 in The Source

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

A coal power plant in Iowa billows smoke into the air.

Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand

For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.

September 17, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A rendering of the planned bridge over a large river. The bridge has two main support beams that form diamond shaped arches over the bridge.

Alabama scores up to $2.5 billion federal loan for largest infrastructure project in state’s history

The Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project aims to ease congestion at Alabama’s worst bottleneck.

6 hours ago - NBC 15

Public land in Idaho. Most of the photo is a green field, with mountains and a forest in the distance.

Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea

If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.

7 hours ago - The Washington Sun

Two construction workers on a wind turbine, with two more in the background against a pink sky.

Despite court ruling, Trump is keeping nearly all wind projects in the US on hold

At least 110 wind energy projects have not heard from the government since a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's freeze on wind turbine clearances was likely illegal.

September 20 - Heatmap