Upgrade work continues this Friday after 9 p.m. through Sunday, close of service on the Metro Blue Line. While work occurs, Vernon and Slauson stations will be closed, and free bus shuttles will replace Blue Line rail service between Washington and Florence stations.

Crews will continue installation of new canopies, paint, tile and audio/visual enhancements at Vernon and Slauson. There will be no work/station closures over 4th of July weekend, when Metro Rail will run enhanced service in order to provide safe transportation to and from various holiday events.

As we mentioned last Thursday, the final weekend-long closures related to the station refurbishment component of the Blue Line Upgrades Project are slated for July 10 through 12 and 17 through 19 (yippeee!). However, weeknight maintenance will continue in order for crews to fully wrap up some track work.

Moving on to what you can expect while station closures/bus shuttles are in effect. After 9 p.m. this Friday, southbound Blue Line trains will return north to 7th Street/Metro Center at Washington, and trains originating in Downtown Long Beach Station will travel only as far north as Florence. Customers wishing to travel between Washington and Florence will need to board Metro bus shuttles (marked as “Blue Line Shuttle”) in order to do so, and should allow extra time to complete their trip. Shuttles will serve Washington, Vernon, Slauson and Florence stations at a frequency consistent with Blue Line rail service levels.

On Friday evening, the last trains making complete trips between Downtown L.A. and Long Beach will depart from Downtown Long Beach Station at approximately: 7:23pm, 7:43 and 8:03, and from 7th Street/Metro Center at approximately: 8:15pm, 8:25 and 8:36.

This weekend’s work/station closures will also require the following changes to Metro Blue and Expo Line service levels. (Please note these changes are also posted on our Planned Service Advisories page.)

•  Friday, June 26, after 9 p.m., Blue Line will run every 12 minutes between Downtown Long Beach and Florence. Between 7th Street/Metro Center and Washington, trains will depart every 20 minutes between 8 and 9 p.m., and then every 12 minutes after 9 p.m. Expo Line trains will also run every 12 minutes.
• Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28, Blue and Expo Line trains will continue to operate every 12 minutes throughout the service day.
• Over this weekend, Nextrip should accurately display revised Blue and Expo Line arrival times. We suggest customers make use of this service in lieu of Trip Planner or station timetables, which will not reflect the maintenance schedule.

On behalf of Metro, thank you to everyone affected by the work this weekend for their patience and understanding. Please check back here at The Source, or follow us @metrolosangeles or@metrolaalerts for the latest Blue Line service updates.