LACMTA set to break ground for Purple Line subway extension

This morning, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) officials will host local, state and federal officials for the groundbreaking of the $2.8 billion Purple Line subway extension project.

The first construction phase will extend the subway four miles from its current terminus at Wilshire/Western station to Wilshire and La Cienega boulevards in Beverly Hills. When completed, the subway will travel under one of Los Angeles' busiest corridors.

The Purple Line extension ultimately will extend nine miles through Mid-Wilshire, Beverly Hills, CenturyCity and Westwood. The project will catalyze ridership for the entire LACMTA rail system, agency officials said in a media advisory.

Among the dignitaries expected to attend this morning's ceremony at the site of the future Wilshire/Fairfax subway station are U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Democratic U.S. Reps. Henry Waxman, Karen Bass and Janice Hahn; Federal Transit Administration Acting Administrator Therese McMillan; LACMTA Chairman and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, and LACMTA Chief Executive Officer Art Leahy.

Earlier this year, LACMTA received $2.1 billion in federal grants and loans for the project's first phase.