The opening of the 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX light-rail line will be delayed until mid-2020 due to the complex work required for the project taking longer than expected to complete.
Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (Metro) CEO Phillip A. Washington updated the agency Board’s Executive Management Committee last week and provided the timeframe update.
Several key issues are impacting the $2.058-billion project’s schedule including the completion of the electrical work on the rail line, which is taking longer than expected; L.A. Metro is opting to complete track tie-in work for the future Airport Metro Connector Station prior to the Crenshaw/LAX Line opening to avoid closures once trains are running; additionally, L.A. Metro is also working with Los Angeles World Airports to coordinate construction of the Automated People Mover near the Crenshaw/LAX Line tracks and is working with the city of Inglewood on service plans to the new NFL stadium and adjacent entertainment district.
The project is 90 percent complete with ‘substantial completion’ of the project expected in December 2019. L.A. Metro says it will then complete final safety testing and operator training with service to the public anticipated to begin in mid-2020.
In early November, L.A. Metro accepted delivery of four new light-rail vehicles for the line at the new Southwestern Yard to begin testing at the facility.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
