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From the City to the Ocean: Expo Line Extension; 'Train to the Beach' First Since 1953
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Los Angeles Metro officially dedicated the Expo Line Extension to Santa Monica—including seven new stations and 6.6 miles of track and restoring rail transit service to within steps of the Pacific Ocean for the first time since 1953—during ceremonies May 20 at the new Downtown Santa Monic a Station.
The grand opening event kicked off when an Expo Line train carrying local, state and federal elected officials and executives from the Metro Exposition Construction Authority broke through a giant banner near the Downtown Santa Monica Station to be greeted by a cheering crowd. | “After the Pacific Electric Streetcars were decommissioned 63 years ago, many never believed that public transit would ever return to the Westside,” said Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “But today, Metro has made the impossible possible. Angelenos can now get from Santa Monica all the way to downtown Los Angeles in just 47 minutes!”
The line extension runs from Culver City to Santa Monica and includes seven stations: Palms, Westwood/Rancho Park, Expo/Sepulveda, Expo/Bundy, 27th St/Bergamot, 17th St/Santa Monica College and Downtown Santa Monica. Metro provided free rides on the entire 15.2-mile Expo Line, which begins in downtown Los Angeles, for the rest of that day and the next day, when several new stations hosted community parties.
The extension hosted some 12,000 rides on May 23, the first day of revenue service.
The $1.5 billion extension is the second LA Metro light rail project funded by Los Angeles County Measure R to open this year; the Gold Line extension to Azusa debuted in March. Almost 68 percent of county voters approved the Measure R half-cent sales tax increase in 2008 to fund new transportation projects and programs.
“The opening of the Expo Line extension today is a great reminder that we have come a long way in a short time,” said Metro Chief Executive Officer Phillip Washington. “But we still have more to do with easing everyday congestion. We will continue to strive to deliver our investments on time and on budget for the transportation network that Los Angeles County deserves.”
Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles mayor and Metro board second vice chair, said, “For the first time in a generation, Angelenos and visitors from around the world can travel from our skyline to the shoreline without setting foot in their cars, bringing needed relief to some of our most congested corridors. This extension of the Expo Line … is an example of our commitment to building out a world-class transit system that can ease congestion and improve quality of life by delivering convenient, affordable and efficient transportation to more people than ever before.”
With the opening of the Expo Line Extension, the Metro Rail system, which began with the Blue Line in 1990, now includes 105 miles spanning six lines. Metro is using new Kinkisharyo rail vehicles, also funded by Measure R, on the complete Expo Line.
Ridership on the new portion of the Expo Line is projected to total 18,000 to 20,000 weekday boardings after the first year of service.
Other elements of the project include a $103.5 million, 14-acre light rail vehicle maintenance yard in Santa Monica with many environmentally-friendly features and a paved bike path.
The Exposition Construction Authority completed the project on time and on budget. In February, the authority turned over the project to Metro, which operates the line.
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The first train on the Expo Line Extension marked its arrival May 20 by breaking through a giant banner near the Downtown Santa Monica Station.
Photo by Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Metro
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