Project Update

Phase 1 of the Expo Line, from downtown Los Angeles to Culver City, was approved in 2005 and broke ground the following year. Service on Phase 1 began on April 28, 2012, and service to the Culver City station began on June 20, 2012.

Phase 2 of the project, from Culver City to Santa Monica, was approved in early 2010. In February 2011, the Exposition Construction Authority Board of Directors approved the selection of Skanska/Rados, a joint venture, as the Phase 2 design-build contractor, and the contract was awarded in March 2011. Final design is currently underway and construction activities and utility work are ongoing. Major construction began in August 2012.

Project Cost and Annual Project Budget:

Phase 1 Estimated Cost: $930 million
Phase 1 Fiscal Year 2013 Budget

Phase 2 Estimated Cost: $1.5 billion
Phase 2 Fiscal Year 2013 Budget 

Safety

First-class cities across the country and around the world have been operating at-grade light rail systems safely and efficiently for decades. From Melbourne to Madrid to Minneapolis, passengers travel safely on light rail every day.

Studies show light rail is a safe way to travel and that light rail accidents are less prevalent than accidents on other forms of public transit in the United States (Bureau of Transportation Statistics).

The Expo Line will be built according to the same safety standards as the Metro Gold Line to Pasadena – one of the safest rail lines in the country. The Expo Line will incorporate the best design elements and state-of-the-art safety features of modern light rail systems, including:

• Signals and barriers at gated crossings
• Bells and flashing lights to alert pedestrians and motorists of approaching trains
• Countdown timers at crosswalks to alert pedestrians of the time remaining to safely cross the intersection
• Enhanced crosswalks with signage, striping, and audio features to assist pedestrians
• Measures to prevent vehicles from stopping on the train tracks

To further encourage safety, Metro’s Rail Safety Education Program teaches bike, bus, and rail safety to children, teens, and adults. Promoted through area schools, the program also provides educational materials for teachers and community groups, as well as online games and quizzes for kids.

Did You Know…?

• The area along the Exposition Corridor is one of the most crowded in all of Los Angeles, with population density more than five times that of the county as a whole. (2000 US Census data and projections)
• The congested I-10 freeway sees an estimated 320,000 cars per day at the I-110 freeway interchange and an estimated 244,000 cars per day at the I-405 freeway junction. (California Department of Transportation, 2008 traffic statistics)
• By providing an option for car-free travel, the Expo Line can reduce vehicle miles traveled to help cut fuel consumption, leading to cleaner air and energy conservation.
• Research has shown that proximity to reliable public transportation boosts property values and spurs economic development. (American Public Transportation Authority, “Public Transportation: Moving People Forward”)
• As a “Transit Parkway,” the Expo Line includes neighborhood bike paths, pedestrian areas and landscaping to create community spaces.
• Expo Line stations will include seven “park and ride” facilities with 2,250 parking spaces to provide nearby communities greater access to light rail service.
• Expo Line stations also feature a variety of specially-commissioned artwork as part of Metro’s award-winning public art program.