The L.A. Metro system’s planned revitalization of Los Angeles Union Station is another step closer to reality following a vote last week that cleared the way for the $2.3 billion megaproject’s further advancement downtown.

Local outlets are reporting that the recent Board of Directors meeting resulted in an approval of a funding agreement between the Metro and California High-Speed Rail Authority which is expected to cover the first phase of development called Link Union Station. The initial project is itself the expanded version of an earlier scheme that would clear a bottleneck at one end of the tracks in addition to providing a new viaduct and railway span over the adjoining 101 Freeway.

A total of $423.3 million will be allocated in the first phase, with another $297.8 million provided for preliminary work. Including the most recent influx of monies from the Rail Authority, the project has to date secured more than $950 million of the funding necessary to double the station’s service capacity according to the website Urbanize LA. 

Future phases entail the elevation of Union Station’s main platform and installation of a new concourse area and additional run-through tracks that will help further clear the congestion caused by an existing stub track arrangement.

Work is expected to get underway in the fall of next year depending on a forthcoming environmental review mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Officials are hoping for a completion sometime before the second quarter of 2028 when Los Angeles will make its closely-watched return as host of that summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.