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On Sunday, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) began testing trains along the Expo Line corridor to simulate regular midday service on the line when the system opens in early 2012.

The piloting is necessary along the entire line to test train operations and all signal systems, LACMTA officials said in a prepared statement.

The agency also plans to test trains at night and along the portion of the line that shares tracks with the Blue Line, serving the Pico Station and Seventh Street/Metro Center Station in downtown Los Angeles.

Phase I of the Expo Line involves a new $932 million, 8.6-mile light-rail line under construction from downtown Los Angeles to Culver City to Santa Monica. The line is funded under the Measure R half-cent sales tax initiative approved by the voters in 2008. Phase II will feature seven stations serving West Los Angeles/Santa Monica and is expected to be completed in 2015.