Design and construction are set to begin on Phase 2 of the Expo Line, which will extend the nearly complete light-rail line between downtown Los Angeles and Culver City to its terminus in Santa Monica.
The Expo Construction Authority Board of Directors approved the $1.5 billion Phase 2 Funding Agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation. The agreement provides the guidelines by which Metro will fund the project through Measure R – a half-cent sales tax revenue – as well as state and local funds. With this contract in place, the Expo Authority will kick off the design-build process with a series of community meetings along the project corridor in early May.
The Expo Line will bring more transportation options to Westside communities traditionally underserved by public transit and who experience some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation. Phase 1 of the Expo Line, between downtown Los Angeles and Culver City, is 88% complete and expected to partially open later this year. Pre-construction work and utility relocation on Phase 2 is expected to begin later this year, with service to Santa Monica scheduled to start in 2015.
The Board also gave direction to carry forward previously cleared design options for a grade separation and aerial station at the Expo/Sepulveda station and the no-parking option at the Expo/Westwood station. The Los Angeles City Council approved a motion earlier this week that commits to funding the estimated $5.3 million cost differential to add the Sepulveda grade separation and aerial station to the project.