The first section of LA Metro’s D Line extension opened May 8, extending subway access west from Koreatown along Wilshire Boulevard as construction continues toward Westwood with the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching in less than two years. According to Metro’s project page, the nearly 9-mile extension begins at Wilshire/Western and adds stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega. The initial segment opened later than originally projected due to extended testing and surface work, and estimated opening timelines for the remaining construction phases have shifted as well.
Construction Timelines and Opening Delays for the D Line Extension
Metro initially anticipated that Section 1 would open in fall 2025 before pushing that target to winter 2026. Testing ultimately took longer than expected, according to LAist, which reported that contractors needed to ensure trains, stations, and critical systems communicated properly with the Rail Operations Center. Contractors had to complete surface improvements around the stations, including sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, before the May 8 opening.
Timelines for the remaining phases have also changed. Section 2 will extend the route through Beverly Hills to Century City, while Section 3 will continue to Westwood with stations at Westwood/UCLA and the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. In July 2025, Metro projected that Sections 2 and 3 would open in 2027 and 2028, respectively. By January 2026, a Metro project presentation revised those dates to spring 2027 for Section 2 and fall 2027 for Section 3. Metro’s current project page does not list estimated opening dates for either remaining section, noting only that construction remains underway.
Did You Know? The D Line originates at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, running west through Koreatown before feeding into the nearly 9-mile extension toward Westwood.
Transportation Planning for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The D Line extension forms a core component of Metro’s transportation strategy for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, during which Los Angeles anticipates a surge in travel demand. UCLA is designated to serve as the Olympic and Paralympic Village, housing athletes and support personnel, according to LA28. The upcoming Westwood/UCLA station will be located in Westwood Village south of the main campus to improve transit access.
In an October 2025 news release, Metro described the D Line extension to Westwood as “critical to the success” of the Games, stating that moving athletes, media, and fans through busy corridors without the subway would be “nearly impossible.” USC adjunct professor of engineering practice Shen noted that delays are common for infrastructure projects of this scale. “There’s never, in complex projects, a project like D-Line, a straightforward where you can just turn around and deliver as you wish,” Shen said, adding that community input and technical hurdles often contribute to timeline shifts.
Student and Commuter Concerns Over Traffic and Mobility
USC students have expressed concern regarding potential traffic congestion and transit delays during the Olympics. Osemdi Nwabuzor, a junior in the Iovine and Young Academy, warned that incomplete infrastructure could lead to accidents and missed schedules. “People are not going to be able to get to places on time. I won’t be able to go home on time,” she said, adding that her parents have considered leaving the country during the Games to avoid the traffic. Journey Wilson, a junior majoring in public relations and advertising, noted that daily commuters would likely face similar struggles.
Despite the transit expansion, Shen cautioned that completing the D Line extension will not fully eliminate Olympic-related traffic problems. “We will have extraordinary traffic demand that is historical, but our infrastructure would never be built to accommodate such extraordinary demand for a short period of time,” he said. To cope with the congestion, Shen advised that residents “should just stay home or go elsewhere if they do not want themselves to be caught in traffic” during peak hours of the Games.
Opening dates and delays for the D Line extension
When did the first section of the D Line extension open?
The first section opened on May 8, adding stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega, according to the Metro website.
What caused the initial opening delays for Section 1?
Metro attributed the delays to testing that took longer than expected—such as ensuring stations and trains could communicate with the Rail Operations Center—as well as necessary surface improvements like sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.
What are the projected opening dates for Sections 2 and 3?
Metro’s current project page does not list estimated opening dates, stating only that construction is underway. Previous agency estimates in July 2025 and January 2026 had pointed toward 2027 and 2028 completion windows for the remaining sections.
How will your daily commute be affected by upcoming transit changes as Los Angeles prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games?