Citing L.A.'s quest to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles County transportation officials are seeking to fast-track two of Metro's most anticipated rail projects.
In letters sent Tuesday and obtained by The Times, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority formally asked to join a Federal Transit Administration pilot program that could accelerate construction on a subway to the Westside and a rail connection to Los Angeles International Airport...
— LA Times
Pending federal approval (and cash – $1 billion, to be precise), Metro hopes to pursue an "extremely aggressive" schedule, completing the Purple Line subway extension as well as the LAX "people-mover" by the potential opening of a 2024 Los Angeles Olympics.
Currently, the Purple Line is scheduled to extend from its current terminus in Koreatown towards the Westside over the course of 16 years, and in three stages. According to the Times, the new plan would mean that all three stages would be worked concurrently: Koreatown to Mid-Wilshire, Mid-Wilshire to Century City, Century City to West LA.
The LAX "people-mover," a much-need and anticipated terminal train, is currently scheduled to start service by 2028. Under the accelerated timeline, that would be moved to 2024 as well. In addition, it would be linked to the currently-planned connection between the Green Line, which runs across the South Bay, and the Expo Line, which cuts across Mid-City.
Alongside the hoped-for $1-billion federal grant, the accelerated plan would be paid for with $525 million in taxpayer revenue, according to Metro authorities. In the long run, concurrent construction would likely reduce overall costs and construction impacts.
LA is the US candidate for the 2024 Olympics after Boston dropped out amid financial concerns.
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