As we reported last month, subway construction activity is starting to intensify near the Wilshire/Western intersection, where new tunnels heading to and from the new stops at La Brea and points west will eventually connect with the existing tunnels heading east from Western Ave. Metro has recently been relocating utility and sewer lines near Western, and now it’s starting to establish street-level work zones for more prep work, pile driving and other activities.
On Monday and Tuesday nights this coming week, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., workers will be restriping streets and installing new traffic control measures on Wilshire near Western, including concrete barriers on the north side of Wilshire, between Western Ave. and Manhattan Pl. This will create a work zone that will be in place for the next year or so. During the installation phase this week, traffic on Wilshire will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Western Ave. and St. Andrews Pl. Left turns from eastbound and westbound Wilshire Blvd. to Western Ave. will also be restricted.
Also, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, westbound Wilshire will be intermittently reduced to two lanes from Western Ave. to Manhattan Pl. for pot holing…and eastbound Wilshire Blvd. will be reduced to one lane intermittently from Manhattan Pl. to Western Ave. Temporary parking restrictions may be posted, and bus stops at Wilshire/Western will be temporarily relocated to Wilshire and Serrano (signs at bus stops will inform riders about the changes.
After the new work zone is in place, for the next year or so, Wilshire will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between St. Andrews Pl. and Oxford Ave., left turn restrictions will be in place from Wilshire to Western, and there will be intermittent sidewalk closures on the north side of Wilshire Blvd., in front of the construction staging yard. Access to businesses will be maintained, and Metro will provide more information on sidewalk closures as the work advances.
Also, there will also be an upcoming full closure of Wilshire Blvd. between Manhattan Pl. and Western Ave., from 9 p.m. on Friday, October 27 to 6 a.m. on Monday, October 30. During the closure, traffic will be detoured along Crenshaw Blvd. to Olympic Blvd. to Western Ave.
Finally, on a much more fun note, Metro has extended its art and naming contest for the two new Purple Line tunnel boring machines, which will arrive in March. The new deadline for contest entries is November 17. Kindergarten through 5th grade students are invited to enter the art contest, and 6th-12th graders can enter the naming contest. Contest details are available at the link above.
For more information on Purple Line construction, you can contact Metro’s 24/7 construction hotline at (213) 922-6934 or e-mail [email protected]
