The new D-Line on the Los Angeles Metro has been a dream for Los Angeles officials and residents for decades. LA metro recently announced that 3 sections will be added to the line, making it a reality.
This undertaking represents more than just a mere extension project. It is the first metro line that connects Koreatown to West Los Angeles, near Westwood. The 3 sections, which comprise of eight stations, are set to be completed by 2027.
In a press conference with officials and city council members this morning, speakers celebrated the completion of the tunneling operations and spoke of the future of the project.
The Metro’s Executive Officer for Community Relations, Anthony Crump, who has been with the LA Metro for 9 years believes the project will bridge Los Angeles residential areas, expanding opportunities for Angelenos.
Anthony Crump: I think it’s not about the specific communities that are just along the D Line route itself. It’s actually about connecting Los Angeles as a whole... So really, we’re talking about connecting people all the way from downtown Los Angeles to the west side and providing better access to jobs, opportunity, housing, etc, etc.
Lindsey Horvath, the chair of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, feels the extended D-line will provide residents with new possibilities in all areas of life.
Lindsey Horvath: This is a critical transportation solution, to make sure that people can get to jobs can get to health care centers, to arts and culture, arts and culture destinations.
Crump says that the line will provide Angelenos other mobility resources besides automobiles.
Crump: Hopefully, once the purple line opens up, the D line extension opens up, it’ll be another option that people have, rather than sitting on the 10 freeway or you know, sitting in traffic all day, it’ll be another option that’ll be a viable.
Horvath also recognizes how this project could benefit the influx of visitors for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Horvath: But as we look to welcoming the world into our backyard for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we know that this will be a vital transport transportation solution for people who are coming from all over the world who are used to riding transportation systems, and who deserved to have the opportunity to ride this one here.
This D-Line extension could transform the ways Angelenos navigate not only the city but the new opportunities available to them.