The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) reminds the public that beginning June 22 Expo Line service at 7th St/Metro Center and Pico stations will be closed for 60 days for construction work that is part of the northern segment work on the Blue Line Improvements Project. The two Expo Line stations are expected to reopen in late August.
During the closures, all Expo Line trains bound for Los Angeles will terminate at LATTC/Ortho Institute Station, where bus shuttles will be available for customers to continue to Pico and 7th St/Metro Center stations.
Free 856 Local bus shuttles will run seven days a week with buses matching the frequencies of Expo Line trains. Regular rail service will follow its usual schedule between LATTC/Ortho Institute and Downtown Santa Monica Station. Subway trains on the Red/Purple Line at 7th St/Metro Center will run on their regular schedules during construction work on the Blue and Expo Lines.
Metro recommends that Expo Line riders plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their downtown L.A. destinations during the 60-day closure of the two Expo Line Stations. Metro customers should consider alternate routes such as the Metro Rapid 720 from Westwood, Metro Rapid 733 from Culver City, Metro Rapid 754 from Expo/Vermont, Silver Line 910 and 950, Big Blue Bus Rapid 7, Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 from Santa Monica and LADOT DASH F from Expo Park/USC.
Additionally, the Big Blue Bus will operate a supplementary, rush hour shuttle to provide a direct connection between 7th St/ Metro Center and LATTC/ Ortho Station (there will be no stop at Pico Station). For more information, click here.
The Metro Blue Line is undergoing an eight month, $350-million modernization that began in January 2019 to improve reliability, enhance safety and improve the customer experience. The Expo Line and Blue Line share tracks in downtown Los Angeles and part of the work this summer involves replacing track at the junction of the two rail lines at Washington Boulevard and Flower Street and in the 7th St/Metro Center tunnel.
The southern section of the New Blue Improvements Project was completed on June 1 and marked the halfway point of the project. The northern segment of the Blue Line from Compton Station to 7th St/Metro Center in downtown Los Angeles is expected to reopen in the fall of 2019.
For information visit the New Blue website or call the project hotline (213) 418-3039.
Submitted by Jose Ubaldo and Joni Goheen
