‘New Blue’ : Metro’s $350-million investment in modernizing the Blue Line will begin January 26

The Metro Blue Line will undergo a comprehensive $350-million modernization beginning January 26, 2019, to improve reliability, upgrade safety and enhance the customer experience, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) reminded riders today. Work to modernize the Blue Line — which opened in 1990 and is Metro’s oldest rail line — has been ongoing since 2014 with a series of safety and operational improvements.“The Blue Line is Metro’s first and oldest service line and it is critical that we update and improve service for Blue Line riders. These improvements certainly will cause some short-term pain but will also net important long-term gain—-more convenience, easier connections, and safety and security upgrades for our Metro customers,” said Metro Board Chair and L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl.

The upcoming improvement project will require two extended four-month closures. Work on the southern segment of the line begins at 4 a.m. on Saturday, January 26. In addition, Blue Line service to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station will be closed for eight months while the station is rebuilt with more capacity, a new customer service center and community plaza, easier connections to local buses and surrounding communities, and upgrades to safety and security systems. During the closure, Green Line service will operate normally at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station.

“Long Beach residents rely every day on the Blue Line to access jobs and services throughout LA County,” said Long Beach Mayor and Metro Board Member Robert Garcia. “This project will ensure the Blue Line can operate for years to come as the important transit connection we know it to be. The closure will be difficult for many of us, but Metro will offer a variety of bus shuttles to minimize the inconvenience to Blue Line customers.”

Work on the Blue Line will include improvements to the signaling, tracks and overhead wires that delivers the electricity to power the trains. Four new crossover tracks will be built to reduce service interruptions. There will also be numerous station improvements, including new interactive digital map displays for all stations, which will display train arrival and departure times, service alerts, and maps of the system and nearby area. Other visible amenities will include new signage and landscaping.

“For decades, the Blue Line has been the work horse of Metro’s rail system,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Not only is it our oldest line, it is also the busiest and is in dire need of improvements. These upgrades and repairs are going to inconvenience a lot of people but when the Blue Line reopens riders are going to get a more reliable and more comfortable commute.”

The Metro Board of Directors recently approved the naming of rail lines with letters and colors to accommodate a growing system and make our rail and bus rapid transit network easier to understand and more custom friendly. Upon completion of the entire New Blue Improvement Project, the new name for the Blue Line will be the “A” Line with the color blue.

“We have implemented a comprehensive public outreach program to notify the public of Blue Line rail service interruptions, construction and the bus shuttle service,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “Metro is committed to improving reliability, upgrading safety and enhancing the customer experience on the Blue Line.”

The closures are as follows:
Southern segment:

Northern segment:

Metro will offer three types of Blue Line Bus Shuttle Service during the closures:

Metro is launching a robust outreach campaign to Metro customers, cities, communities, stakeholders and the public about the New Blue. The New Blue website at http://www.metro.net/newblue includes a fact sheet and map with the three bus shuttle services.