LACMTA Removes Temporary Decking at Future Wilshire/Fairfax Station for Purple Extension

LACMTA

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Purple Line (D Line) Extension hit a significant milestone earlier this month when the design-builder, STS, finished removing temporary street decking at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue.

Initially estimated to take 13 weekends of work — including pauses for holiday weekends — the restoration was set to conclude on Monday, February 13. That was before three weekends were canceled due to weather, and another was canceled to accommodate an annual event on Museum Row.

With the work completed last week, stakeholders will no longer have to consider completely closing a  busy intersection.

Workers had to deliver vast amounts of soil to backfill the space between the Fairfax Station roof and the Wilshire Boulevard surface, in addition to removing the underlying steel beams and temporary concrete panels, which weighed the same as a small vehicle. This distance averaged about 17 feet, a release said. The permanent asphalt surface was laid and traffic lanes were painted on it.

The fact that workers were able to finish the final paving is itself evidence of the D Line project’s advancement, LACMTA said. Until it is finished and the decking panel is removed, a significant amount of materials must be transported and withdrawn through the station roof.

The new La Cienega, Fairfax, and La Brea stations as well as Section 1 of the D Line Extension are anticipated to open in late 2024. The finished Section 1 tunnels will soon have permanent rail attached. Of the three excavated stations, the final roof pour is also finished, a release said.