Wilshire/Fairfax decking for Purple Line Extension begins Friday: what you need to know

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(*map depicts Phase 1 driving detour, for bus detour information please see below for a description.)

Work on building the future Purple Line Extension station at Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue has been ongoing since May 2014. Now the next big step begins: decking of the street so that traffic can continue to use Wilshire while excavation of the station continues below. Decking also will allow access to sidewalks and driveways

In the Wilshire/Fairfax area, decking will occur on Wilshire stretching from Ogden Drive to Fairfax to San Diego Way. The work will occur over 18 weekends starting this Friday, Feb. 10. Sidewalk access will be maintained; however, some infrequent closures may occur depending on the nature of the work. 

What to Expect:

•Work will typically begin at 10 a.m. on Fridays and continue through Mondays at 6 a.m. Work is scheduled in three phases (see below). 

•Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in each direction at 10 a.m. Friday with the full closure at 8 p.m. Friday during the first and third phases of the decking work.

•Work will occur 24/7 during the closures — in order to expedite the work and get it over with as quickly as safely possible. 

•720/20 Wilshire bus stops will be relocated. Here is the detour description:

Work is Scheduled in Three Phases

Phase I: Wilshire from Spaulding Avenue to Fairfax Avenue.

Phase II: Wilshire/Fairfax intersection.

Phase III: Wilshire from Fairfax to Crescent Heights Boulevard.

As work transitions from the first phase to the second and third phases, we’ll be updating this post. Much more information is here, including maps of the second and third phase of decking work (pdf for download and printing here):

The Purple Line Extension is extending the subway from its current terminus at Wilshire and Western for nine miles to Westwood. The project is being constructed in three phases. The first, which is under construction, is for 3.9 miles from Wilshire/Western to Wilshire/La Cienega with new stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega. The first segment is projected to open in late 2023.

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10 replies ›

  1. Some drivers of Bus 720 claimed ignorance of the newly designated bus stops at Westbound Wilshire/La Jolla, and Eastbound Wilshire/Capistrano. What form of directive do they get from the Metro management so that they will let off or will not go past us waiting passengers. These situations have been happening this past week. Thanks for your immediate attention.

  2. Isn’t there a station being built at Wilshire and Crenshaw? There’s no mention of that station. The post makes it sound like the train goes from Western to La Brea before it stops

    • Hi Monte —

      There is no Wilshire/Crenshaw station. That option was eliminated during the environmental study phase, the thinking being that it was too close to Wilshire/Western. The stations for the first phase of the extension will be at La Brea, Fairfax and La Cienega.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

  3. Please correct the detour map on the Purple Line closures. It shows buses being detoured on 6th street, not 3rd street as it should be. Also please, please, please make sure there are clear and readable signs at all bus stops explaining the detour including where the nearest usable stops are. And lastly, please post the signs at eye level.

    • We apologize for the confusion. The map in the post is actually a detour map for automobile drivers. We do not have a map for the bus detours, only a description. Buses will be detoured to 3rd street. We will relay your comment about signage to Metro Bus Operations and work to provide clear signage.

  7. Does that mean that when the detour is in effect, the closest stop to Wilshire/La Brea will be at Wilshire & Mansfield? Since the closest stop is currentlt at Cloverdale.