Beverly Hills Prepares for Wilshire Boulevard Closure

Categories: CharityCommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Construction work taking place on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills.

News Summary

Starting March 17, Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills will undergo a full closure for three weeks due to vital subway construction for the D Line Extension project. The closure will impact traffic between Crescent Drive and El Camino Drive, with ongoing pedestrian access. Throughout this period, drivers are encouraged to utilize detours via Century Park East, Robertson, Olympic, and Santa Monica boulevards. The project aims to enhance transportation infrastructure leading up to the 2028 Olympics, with completion of the first section expected by the end of the year.

Beverly Hills Gears Up for Major Wilshire Boulevard Closure

Attention all residents and visitors of Beverly Hills! Mark your calendars for March 17, because that’s when the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority will begin a full closure of Wilshire Boulevard for a vital subway construction project. The closure is expected to last for three weeks, and it will affect the stretch of Wilshire Boulevard extending from just west of Crescent Drive to just east of El Camino Drive.

What’s Happening and Why

This planned closure is not just a mere inconvenience; it’s part of an essential update aimed at improving transportation across our beautiful city. The construction crew will be removing deck panels and working on street restoration near the future Wilshire/Rodeo station. This station is part of the ambitious D Line Extension project, which will ultimately connect downtown Los Angeles to the bustling Westside. The whole endeavor is designed to enhance public transportation access as we lead up to the 2028 Olympics.

Getting Around During the Closure

As the saying goes—out of sight, out of mind—but the same doesn’t apply here! While Wilshire Boulevard will be closed, fear not! Pedestrian access will remain available along Wilshire Boulevard as well as South Cañon, Beverly, and Reeves drives. Visitors to commercial properties near the closure can still access them without any hassle, so shopkeepers and diners can breathe easy.

If you take public transportation, keep in mind that bus stops along Wilshire Boulevard will be temporarily relocated during this closure. Be sure to check public transit updates to ensure you know where your stops are moving to!

Detour Routes to Consider

Drivers, you’ll need a new game plan. Detour routes will help guide you around the closure. Expect to utilize Century Park East and Robertson, along with Olympic and Santa Monica boulevards. Planning ahead will save you the stress of unexpected traffic jams, so familiarize yourself with alternate routes before heading out.

Ongoing Construction

Wilshire/Rodeo station is part of a broader plan that includes other stations like Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega. Construction is expected to carry on well into 2025, giving residents a shiny new subway line to look forward to.

But that’s not all! Lanes on Wilshire Boulevard between Sycamore Avenue and Detroit Street will also be closed throughout March, with various work zones using K-rail barriers that may limit traffic lanes to just two in each direction in some areas. Intermittent closures will also occur on North Hamilton Drive at the intersection with Wilshire Boulevard—just another reminder to be cautious and plan accordingly.

What’s Next?

As a community committed to keeping you updated, the Metro will host periodic meetings to discuss construction progress and timelines. The total investment for the D Line Extension is a whopping $10.1 billion, which aims to remodel our city’s transit landscape. The first section of this project is expected to open by the end of this year, featuring stations at La Brea Avenue, Fairfax Avenue, and La Cienega Boulevard. Following closely behind, the second section with the Wilshire/Rodeo and Century City/Constellation stations is slated for a 2026 opening, while the final section will bring us stops near UCLA and the VA Hospital by 2027.

So, there you have it, Beverly Hills! As the construction commences, let’s stay informed, supportive, and excited about the improvements that await us.