News Summary
Residents of Beverly Hills should prepare for lane closures on Wilshire Boulevard due to subway construction, starting from March 17. While the road will remain partially open, a complete shutdown is expected for three weeks. Traffic will be detoured through nearby streets during this time. Metro is holding community meetings to keep everyone informed and is providing financial support to local businesses affected by the construction. Improvements from the Metro D Line Extension project aim to enhance transportation options for future travel.
Beverly Hills: Buckle Up for Wilshire Boulevard Lane Closures!
Hey there, Beverly Hills residents! If you’re planning to take a drive down Wilshire Boulevard anytime soon, we’ve got some important info to share. Get ready for some lane closures due to a major subway construction project! The construction kicked off on Tuesday night at 9 p.m., and it’s going to be a round-the-clock job until March 12. That’s right, there will be construction all day and all night, so you might want to plan your travels accordingly.
Where Is It Happening?
The affected area is right around the bustling neighborhood near the Los Angeles Country Club and El Rodeo School. But don’t worry too much if you’re heading that way. The road is being temporarily reconfigured so that both eastbound and westbound traffic will still have access, with two lanes open and signalized left turns available. So while it may be a bit of a hassle, at least you won’t be completely stuck!
What Lies Ahead
Now, for the not-so-fun part: just when you think the worst is over, things are set to get a little more complicated. Starting March 17 and lasting until April 7, a four-block section of Wilshire Boulevard will be completely shut down. This section runs between El Camino Drive and Crescent Drive and will be closed for three weeks. This is all part of the ongoing Metro D Line Subway Extension project which has been in the works for over a decade!
Traffic Detours and Impacts
So what does this mean for traffic? A recent traffic study suggests that a whopping 80% of traffic will need to take detours via Beverly Boulevard, North Santa Monica Boulevard, San Vicente Boulevard, and La Cienega Boulevard. The other 20% of drivers will mainly be those heading to or from the Golden Triangle or the residential areas just south of Wilshire. Feel free to adjust your route for the next few weeks—it might save you some time!
Weekend Work Plans
The construction currently happening on Wilshire Boulevard wraps up just in time for the next big closure! Metro originally planned to close these sections over 18 weekends, but thankfully, they’ve streamlined it down to a three-week closure. South Reeves Drive at Wilshire Boulevard has also hit the closure list, starting February 24, to install a 16-foot sound barrier—exactly what we need for a little peace and quiet.
What’s Coming Next?
The D Line Extension is designed to connect subway services from downtown LA to the Westside, with the first segment anticipated to open towards the end of this year. It will include three brand new subway stations along Wilshire Boulevard. The second segment, which encompasses the Wilshire/Rodeo and Century City stations, is expected to be ready by 2026, followed by another segment that includes Westwood/UCLA and Westwood/VA Hospital stations set to open in 2027.
Community Support
On a bright note, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is being proactive and holding community update meetings to keep everyone in the loop. To help out businesses affected by these closures, Metro is also dishing out Business Interruption Fund grants. So far, nearly $43 million has been awarded through this program, with over $8 million already granted to businesses in Beverly Hills.
Conclusion
So, whether you’re commuting to work, dropping kids off at school, or hitting your favorite local spot, be prepared for the changes on Wilshire Boulevard. It might be a bumpy ride for a while, but it’s all part of the journey towards better transportation options for everyone. Stay safe and happy driving!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Patch: Wilshire Boulevard Lane Closures
- Beverly Press: Towering Project Proposed in Beverly Hills
- Patch: Wilshire Boulevard Closure for Construction
- LA Business Journal: Metro D Line Extension Update
- Beverly Hills Courier: Revised Plans for 9600 Wilshire Project
- Wikipedia: Wilshire Boulevard
- Google Search: Wilshire Boulevard construction updates
- Google Scholar: Wilshire Boulevard subway construction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wilshire Boulevard
- Google News: Wilshire Boulevard closures
