Los Angeles, CA – The first section of the Los Angeles Metro D Line (formerly Purple Line) Extension officially commenced passenger service on May 8, marking a significant expansion of the city's public transit network. This initial phase introduces 3.9 miles of new underground track and three new stations: Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega. The extension provides a direct rail link from downtown Los Angeles to the edge of Beverly Hills, enhancing connectivity across key areas of the city.
The D Line Extension project, with an estimated total investment of approximately $10 billion, aims to expand the subway nearly nine miles west from its existing terminus at Wilshire/Western in Koreatown to Westwood. The overall project is being delivered in three sections, with Section 1 now open and Sections 2 and 3, extending to Century City, UCLA, and the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center, anticipated to open in 2027. This development represents the first new subway opening in the U.S. this year.
Metro officials highlight the extension's role in improving mobility, reducing congestion, and providing a faster, more predictable alternative to driving along the heavily trafficked Wilshire Corridor. Travel times from Union Station to Wilshire/La Cienega are projected to be around 21 minutes. The new stations offer access to major cultural institutions like Museum Row and the La Brea Tar Pits, as well as significant employment centers.
The opening has, however, also drawn provocative commentary on social media. Cultural commentator Peachy Keenan, known for her critiques of modern feminism and advocacy for traditional family life, posted a tweet describing the "Skid Row Express (also known as the D line expansion)" as enabling "Skid row junkies" to travel "from their homeless camps downtown to new homeless camps in Westwood, with convenient stops at Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for naps, open air masturbation, and public defecation." She concluded by stating, "It's like Manifest Destiny, but for fentanyl addicts. Go West!"
Despite such inflammatory remarks, the Metro D Line Extension is positioned by transit advocates and officials as a crucial step in building a more comprehensive and efficient public transportation system for Los Angeles, connecting diverse communities and destinations. The project underscores ongoing efforts to address the city's complex transportation challenges and support future growth.
