The view of the work zone at Wilshire/Western, the current terminus of the Purple Line. Photos: Metro.

Most of the construction on the Purple Line Extension thus far has involved construction of the first three new stations. But work began this week on the critical task of preparing the Purple Line’s current terminus at Wilshire/Western to be connected eventually to the first section of the project.

As part of that work, Wilshire Boulevard will be closed for 14 weekends between Manhattan Place and Western Avenue. The work is planned to begin Friday, Oct. 27.

The weekend closures will begin at 9 p.m. on Fridays and end at 6 a.m. on Mondays. There will be no full weekend closures over the Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s weekends.

Traffic and buses will follow the detours below.

Decking work at Wilshire and Western is anticipated to start in March 2018 and run through April 2018. Decking will also require full weekend closures of Wilshire at Western. 

Decking is a construction process that excavates the street and sidewalks and replaces them with temporary deck panels. This allows traffic to continue to flow while construction continues underground. Access will be maintained to sidewalks and driveways

Wilshire/Western Station will remain open during the construction of the Purple Line Extension. Although the Wilshire/Western station area already includes support structures for the connection — including air shafts — there is still considerable work that must be done, including utility relocation, pile installation, jet grouting, decking, excavation and adding new communications and monitoring equipment. 

A work zone with concrete barriers, fencing and sound blankets was established this week on the north side of Wilshire between Manhattan and Western. It will be in place for approximately one year. Workers will conduct major construction activities from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with support activities occurring from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Western will remain open to through traffic, but this new work zone will require these changes to the Wilshire Blvd. traffic pattern:

•Wilshire will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Western and St. Andrews.

•Left turns will be prohibited from Wilshire to Western in both directions.

•Extended sidewalk closures will be required on Wilshire between Manhattan and Western.

The Purple Line Extension will extend the subway from its current terminus at Wilshire/Western for nine miles to Westwood. The project is being constructed in three sections. The first, which is under construction, is 3.9 miles with new stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega. The first section is projected to open in late 2023. The second section will extend the line to downtown Beverly Hills and Century City and the third section to Westwood.