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The New D (Purple) Line: Miracle Mile / Wilshire

Map of the LA Metro D Line extension, showing the new underground route running west along Wilshire Boulevard. The path highlights the three new stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega, demonstrating their connection to the existing rail network from Downtown L.A. and Union Station.

Wilshire Boulevard Finally Gets a Train

On May 8, 2026, LA Metro celebrated a historic milestone with the grand opening of Section 1 of the D (Purple) Line subway extension:

  • For decades, L.A.'s subway stopped short of the city's urban core. The new extension along Wilshire finally connects Central L.A. to the Westside, bringing a beautifully designed new underground system to one of the city's busiest corridors.

  • You can now get from downtown LA to Miracle Mile in around 20 minutes. (Previously, the only option was a drive in gridlocked traffic). This upgrade will cut many people's commuting times in half.

  • The new stations along Wilshire Blvd finally making wonderful spots like LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits accessible without a car.

  • Innovative and modern, the stations feature beautiful art installations and a column-free design that makes them feel airy, expansive, and easy to navigate.

  • The newly added routes are also just in time for L.A. to move massive global crowds during the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

What / where are the 3 new stops?

Section 1 adds 3.9 miles of new track extending directly west from the old end-of-the-line at Wilshire/Western. The extension introduces three brand-new, fully accessible underground stations:

Wilshire/La Brea: Drops you right into the heart of Mid- Wilshire, steps from the historic El Rey Theatre and Hancock Park. Nearby landmarks include:

Wilshire/Fairfax: Places you right on Museum Row, directly outside LACMA, the Academy Museum, and near other iconic attractions.

Wilshire/La Cienega: The current western terminus of the line, dropping riders off right at the eastern gateway to Beverly Hills and Restaurant Row.

What areas does the new extension now connect?

To understand how this line is really changing how people get around L.A., it helps to look at it based on your starting point:

  • If you live in the Miracle Mile (The New Stations): You are no longer trapped on an island of gridlocked traffic. You can walk into your local station and reach Downtown L.A. and Union Station in just 20 minutes—completely bypassing the notorious highway traffic.
  • If you live in Downtown L.A. or Koreatown (The Existing Line): Instead of a long drive or bus ride, you can hop on the subway and get dropped off directly at Museum Row (LACMA, the Academy Museum) and Beverly Hills' Restaurant Row in minutes.
  • If you live further West (Santa Monica, Century City, UCLA): While the train doesn't reach the ocean yet, these new stations create a vital "launching pad" just east of you. It connects your side of town directly to the rail system, meaning a short bus ride or rideshare hooks you straight into the entire regional train network at Union Station.

By connecting these regions, a single subway ride now links some of Southern California’s most iconic hubs. Here is where the new tracks can take you:

  • To the Arts & Culture Hub: Step off at the Wilshire/Fairfax station to visit LACMA, see the Oscar statuettes at the Academy Museum, or explore the prehistoric La Brea Tar Pits without ever hunting for a parking spot.
  • To Major Shopping & Dining: The new stations place you steps from the legendary Restaurant Row on La Cienega, and put you a brief northbound hop away from The Grove and the Original Farmers Market.
  • To Live Sports & Concerts: Heading to a game? Take the train toward Downtown L.A. and easily transfer to the A or E Line to get to Crypto.com Arena (L.A. Live), or ride it to the end of the line at Union Station to catch the direct express shuttle bus to Dodger Stadium.
  • To the Gateway for Travel: If you are leaving the city, the seamless ride to Union Station allows you to easily catch the FlyAway shuttle bus straight to LAX Airport or board an Amtrak train out of town.

Look Ahead: What's Next for the D Line?

While Section 1 opening is a monumental win for the city, Metro isn't stopping here. This is just the first of three phases designed to completely revolutionize travel between Downtown L.A. and the Westside:

  • Section 2 (Under Construction): Will extend the track further west, adding brand-new stations in downtown Beverly Hills and the massive job hub of Century City.
  • Section 3 (Under Construction): Will take the subway all the way to its final destination, adding stations at Westwood/UCLA and the VA Hospital ight off the 405 freeway.

Once the entire project is completed, riders will be able to travel from downtown L.A. all the way to Westwood in about 35 minutes—a journey that can easily take 90 minutes or more by car during rush hour.

A New Chapter for L.A. Transit

For decades, a subway stretching across Los Angeles felt like a distant dream. By connecting historic communities, world-class museums, and major entertainment hubs, this extension marks a massive shift away from L.A.'s car-centric culture. The D Line officially opens up the best of Los Angeles—one traffic-free ride at a time.

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