Los Angeles Breaks Ground on Purple Line Subway Extension


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.