LA Metro Purple (D) Line Extension Section 1 Opens

LA Metro Purple (D) Line Extension Section 1 has opened on the Wilshire Corridor. Skanska and its joint venture partners marked the start of new underground rail service. Construction lasted more than ten years. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Also, the opening was celebrated on May 8, 2026. Traylor Brothers, Inc., J.F. Shea Construction, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), civic leaders, project partners and community representatives took part in the event. Skanska’s statement was dated Los Angeles, CA, May 14, 2026.

LA Metro Purple (D) Line Extension Section 1 adds three stations

The completed first section extends subway service west from the existing Wilshire/Western station. It adds three underground stations: Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega.

The segment is the first part of LA Metro’s wider extension toward Westwood. It is intended to improve travel connections through one of the region’s busiest corridors. It also gives passengers a faster and more dependable option compared with driving.

“After more than a decade of construction, this project stands as a reflection of sustained effort, collaboration and innovation across an exceptional team of engineers, craft professionals and project partners,” said Geoffrey Bender, Project Executive of Operations at Skanska USA Civil. “Delivering complex underground infrastructure beneath one of Los Angeles’ most active corridors required persistence, adaptability and precision at every stage. We are deeply grateful to our crews and JV partners whose expertise made this milestone possible, and proud of the innovations and lessons learned along the way that will continue to shape how we deliver major transit projects in the future.”

Wilshire Boulevard tunneling and station works

The $2.4 billion project was awarded in 2014. Its scope covered several major elements of underground transit construction. It included twin subway tunnels below Wilshire Boulevard. It also included deep excavation and structural works for the three stations. The project included coordination with complex underground utilities. It also supported systems integration for signaling, communications and traction power infrastructure.

Work took place in one of Los Angeles’ busiest urban corridors. Crews operated around sewer, electrical, gas, water and telecommunications infrastructure beneath Wilshire Boulevard. Meanwhile, variable subsurface conditions, groundwater and tar sand formations required geotechnical monitoring and adaptive tunneling methods.

The project used earth pressure balance tunnel boring machines suited to soft-ground and pressurized excavation conditions. Precast concrete tunnel liners were installed directly behind tunneling work. They formed the permanent tunnel structure.

In addition, conveyor systems removed excavated material continuously while reducing disruption at street level. Continuous gas monitoring and underground safety systems supported worker protection during tunneling and excavation.

Sustainability measures and fossil discoveries

Sustainability measures were included during construction. Skanska used zero-emission construction equipment on the project. The equipment included the Volvo EC230 Electric excavator and the battery-powered HAMM HD 12e VV. In addition, groundwater treatment systems supported responsible water management during the works.

Excavation revealed more than 500 Ice Age fossils. The discoveries included remains of mammoths, bison, horses and giant ground sloths. Many of the finds were preserved for scientific study and curation. They were preserved at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the La Brea Tar Pits.

Regional mobility on the Wilshire Corridor

LA Metro is the main transit agency for the region. It operates a large rail and bus network across Los Angeles County. Through projects such as the Purple (D) Line Extension, the agency is working to strengthen regional connections. It is also working to improve access to jobs and major destinations. It also aims to provide a more reliable alternative to car travel in one of the country’s most car-dependent areas.

Separately, the opening was presented as a major milestone for transit expansion in Los Angeles. The source also linked it to transportation infrastructure in Southern California.

The completion of Section 1 also improves access along the Wilshire Corridor to destinations including LACMA, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the La Brea Tar Pits. The project supports Los Angeles’ continued investment in regional mobility. It comes ahead of major global events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

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