Upgrade work on the Metro Blue Line moves this weekend from Compton Station to Willowbrook, 103rd Street/Watts Towers and Firestone. Planned improvements are similar to those completed over the past four months at other stations, including new canopies, paint, tile and audio/visual enhancements.

Speaking of canopies, here’s the new colorful one installed at Compton Station last weekend:

You’ll also notice the overhead lighting is much improved by LEDs.

Work at Willowbrook, 103rd Street/Watts Towers and Firestone Station is scheduled to occur for three more weekends after this, including April 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26.

As for this weekend, the following service changes will be in affect on the Metro Blue Line as work occurs. Friday, Apr. 3 after 9 p.m. through Sunday, Apr. 5 at noon, bus shuttles will replace rail service between Florence and Compton Station. This means southbound Blue Line trains will return north to 7th Street/Metro Center at Florence, and trains originating in Downtown Long Beach Station will travel only as far north as Compton. Customers wishing to travel between Florence and Compton Station will need to board Metro bus shuttles (marked as “Blue Line Shuttle”) in order to do so. Please note that owing to the extended distance in bus shuttles, extra time will be required for trips between Florence and Compton.

For those traveling between the Green Line and Downtown L.A., transferring to the Silver Line at Harbor Fwy/I-105 Station will be a faster alternate route than connecting at Willowbrook Station.

Customers will also want to be aware of the following changes to Metro Blue and Expo Line service levels this weekend. These changes can additionally be found on our Planned Service Advisories page on Metro.net.

To begin, this Friday after 8:30 p.m. through close of service, Blue Line will run every 10 minutes between 7th St/Metro Center and Florence, and every 15 minutes between Compton and Downtown Long Beach Station. Expo Line will operate every 10 minutes until close, beginning at approximately 8 p.m., but trains will not arrive at stations in keeping with their regularly-scheduled times.

Saturday, open to close of service, Blue Line trains will run every 18 minutes between 7th St/Metro Center and Florence, and every 15 minutes between Compton and Downtown Long Beach Station. Expo Line trains will arrive every 12 minutes throughout the service day.

Finally, on Sunday from open until noon, Blue Line will operate every 18 minutes between 7th Street/Metro Center and Florence, and every 15 minutes between Compton and Downtown Long Beach. After 12 p.m., Blue Line rail service will resume at all stations and bus shuttles will be cancelled. Trains will then run every 10-15 minutes between 7th St/Metro Center and Florence and every 24 minutes between Florence and Long Beach.

Expo Line will again run every 12 minutes from open to close of service Sunday.

Many are already aware that adjustments to Blue Line service this year have been, and will continue to be, necessary for the completion of the Blue Line Upgrades project, a $1.2-billion overhaul including station improvements, track replacement/refurbishment, and even, eventually, new rail cars. Some of the upgrades have already been completed at stations between Compton and the Long Beach Loop, and will continue to move north along the Blue Line throughout 2015. The estimated wrap-up date for the entire project is sometime this fall.

That being said, Metro recognizes that these service changes can be a nuisance, and would like to say thank you to all affected customers. The end goal to keep in mind is a safer, more reliable, and re-vamped Metro Blue Line for years to come.

As construction can be a dynamic process, please check back here at The Source, or follow us @metrolosangeles or @metrolaalerts for the latest Blue Line service updates.