As the final segment of Los Angeles Metro’s transformative $9.3 billion D Line Extension Project, Section 3 spans 2.56 miles from Century City to new stations at Westwood/UCLA and Westwood/VA Hospital. This long‑anticipated expansion will deliver long‑term mobility improvements for West Los Angeles by providing faster, more reliable transit access to major regional destinations. STV plays a pivotal role in both the stations and tunnels as part of two design‑build teams delivering the final segment of the subway extension.
What challenges is STV addressing?
Section 3 traverses dense urban neighborhoods, major seismic zones and critical regional destinations including UCLA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Designing stations and tunnels that maintain seismic resilience, integrate complex underground structures and accommodate future ridership demand required extensive coordination across multiple agencies, contractors and technical teams. Construction beneath I‑405 and the surrounding urban fabric demanded advanced design, safety planning and innovative solutions to minimize community and systems impacts.
What solutions is STV delivering?
For stations, STV – as lead designer and systems integrator on the Tutor Perini/O&G team – is providing complete civil, architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, landscape, track and traction power design for the Westwood/UCLA and Westwood/VA Hospital stations, including entrance portals, elevators, escalators and bicycle facilities. STV is also the principal engineer and architect‑of‑record for the Section 3 tunnels with the Frontier‑Kemper/Tutor Perini team, delivering guideway tunnels, segmental lining, seismic fault crossing design, cross passages, tunnel ventilation, utility relocations and instrumentation. The work includes selecting equipment such as tunnel ventilation fans, dampers, actuators, HVAC units, pumps and fire‑life‑safety systems.
How will this project benefit the community?
Section 3 will provide faster, more reliable transit to major employment, education and healthcare hubs. The extension improves regional connectivity, reduces congestion, supports sustainability goals and delivers long‑term mobility benefits for communities across Los Angeles County.
Key stats and accolades
- 2.56‑mile extension across West Los Angeles
- Two new stations: Westwood/UCLA and Westwood/VA Hospital
- Seismic‑resilient twin tunnels and cross passages
- Part of Metro’s $9.3 billion D Line Extension Program
- STV also leads design for 2.59‑mile Section 2
Rendering of what the stations may look like is subject to change. Images courtesy of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
