Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa, who doubles as Chair of the Metro Board, announced this morning that Metro will officially open to the public both the Culver City station and the Farmdale station along the recently inaugurated Expo Line at 12 noon on Wednesday, June 20.
Patrons boarding trains at both the Farmdale and Culver City stations will receive free passes to use the Expo Line on June 20.
“The opening of these two stations completes the first phase of the Expo line, from downtown to the Westside,” Mr. Villaraigosa said.
“We are answering the call from voters to provide more transit options. In the process, we are creating career opportunities for Angelenos.”
The public opening of the Culver City station coincides with the Downtown Third Wednesday “Summer Solstice” Happy Hour, entertainment and activities sponsored by two dozen participating businesses, from 5 o’clock to 9.
Mr. Villaraigosa encouraged Expo riders and others to take advantage of the opening and walk the short distance into the heart of Culver Cityto sample artisanal cuisine and cocktails, shop at unique boutiques, view art, and enjoy a variety of live music. For a complete list visit www.downtownculvercity.com.
“The opening of the Culver City station is a tremendous milestone in the construction of the Expo Line,” said Culver City Mayor Andy Weissman. “We look forward to the Expo Line bringing much needed congestion relief to our region. Expo will provide an efficient new mode of public transportation to help commuters get from home to work, to recreation, to school.”
Poised to open both stations, Expo will continue to run test trains the next 12 days into the new Culver City station at Washington and National to ensure all systems are operating.
The segment of the Expo Line operating from downtown Los Angeles to the La Cienega/Jefferson station opened to the public six weeks ago, on Saturday, April 28. Trains have been bypassing the Farmdale station adjacent to Dorsey High School going only as far as the station at La Cienega and Jefferson. With the opening of the Farmdale station, Dorsey students will have an additional transportation alternative.
Phase I of the Expo Line is a new $932 million, 8.6-mile light rail line from downtown to Culver City. It has 12 stations, two stations shared with the Blue Line. The new light rail line serves USC, Exposition Park,tThe Mid-City communities, the Crenshaw District and Culver City.
Phase II of the Expo Line, a $1.5 billion 6.6-mile extension from Culver City to Santa Monica, is funded under the Measure R half-cent sale tax initiative approved by voters in 2008. Phase II will have seven stations serving West Los Angeles/Santa Monica. It is expected to be completed in four years.
Both Phase I and Phase II of the Expo Line are being built by the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority. Once completed, they are turned over to Metro to operate. For information: visit metro.net/expo or buildexpo.org.
