USDOT commits $1.3 billion for last phase of LA's Purple Line subway extension

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) officials yesterday announced the agency has moved closer to receiving a $1.3 billion federal grant to help fund the third and final phase of its Purple Line subway extension.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has sent the full-funding grant agreement to Capitol Hill for a 30-day review period, the last step before the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and LA Metro sign the agreement, LA Metro officials said in a press release.

The agreement will be delivered under the FTA's Capital Investment Grant Program, also known as New Starts. The grant is a stand-alone agreement, with no required loans for LA Metro to pay back as in previous funding agreements for Sections 1 and 2 of the Purple Line extension, LA Metro officials said.

The overall cost for the project's final section is $3.6 billion, with remaining funds coming from LA Metro’s voter-approved transportation sales tax measures.

The segment is considered one of Los Angeles County's most critically needed public transit projects: a subway under Wilshire Boulevard that will connect downtown Los Angeles and Westwood with service en route to the Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills and Century City, LA Metro officials said.

LA Metro is building the subway's first two sections and has begun some initial preparatory construction activities for Section 3 between Century City and Westwood. Major construction is expected to start later this year. The three sections of the 7-mile Purple Line extension are expected to open in 2023, 2025 and 2027, respectively.     

"This new transit line, when fully constructed, will revolutionize the ability to connect the Westside with the rest of Los Angeles County’s growing rail and bus networks," said LA Metro Chief Executive Officer Phillip Washington.