With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
5 Reasons To Love The Upcoming Purple Line Extension
(Photo by Chris via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
Construction on the Purple Line extension can now begin thanks to a big check from the federal government. Thanks, Obama!A $1.25 billion federal grant and an $856 million federal loan will help to build the 3.9-mile phase of the expansion that will bring the the Purple Line from its origin in DTLA all the way to Beverly Hills, City News Service reports. (See Metro's map here.) Mayor Eric Garcetti was in Washington D.C. today for the announcement.
It's going to be awhile: Metro has estimated that this phase of the extension will be completed in 2023. But here are 5 reasons to love the Purple Line extension when it finally comes.
1. It Will Make the Purple Line a Real Grownup Line
As it stands, the Purple Line only goes two stops past the Red Line. The two lines both run from Union Station to Wilshire/Vermont. And while the Red Line runs all the way up to North Hollywood, the Purple Line runs only two stops into Koreatown. That's only 1.1 miles. (Also, for the better part of the last year or so, Metro made you transfer to a bus at night to ride to those last two stops while they did maintenance.) This phase of the expansion will give the Purple Line 5 unique miles, connecting downtown to Beverly Hills—without transferring.
Support for LAist comes from
2. No More Crowded 720
The 720 will take you up and down Wilshire, but it's not very fun. It's always packed to the point where sometimes, you have to wait for another 720 with slightly less riders to even start your commute. While I do enjoy bus surfing—that’s what I call standing in that weird middle connector part where the floor rotates—the sardine situation indicates that the demand is ripe for this transit expansion.
3. It Will Make Beverly Hills Mad
Beverly Hills High School spent $3.1 million, claiming that a methane issue would turn the school into a Hellmouth or something, if this fear mongering video is any indication. Turns out the future cast member of any 90210 revamps are gonna be okay, so it's time to embrace city progress.
4. Construction Creates Jobs
Tunneling underground to expand a subway line is obviously a huge project, and huge projects create jobs. The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation says this particular project will create an estimated 25,000 jobs.
5. It's A Win For Everyone
Support for LAist comes from
When public transit because accessible and normalized, it provides people with a choice regarding how they want to get around. It'll be hard to complain about traffic when your work day is bookended by chilling on a train reading a book. Plus, the more places a carless Angeleno can get to via public transit, the more options they have for employment, and in turn, putting money back into a local economy. Here's a guide to starting your new life as a transit user.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist