The future of transportation in Los Angeles has officially arrived.

LA Metro’s D Line Extension Phase 1 Officially Opens

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) officially opened Section 1 of the long-awaited D Line Subway Extension on May 8, 2026, expanding underground rail service westward through the historic Mid-Wilshire corridor and into Beverly Hills.

The 3.92-mile extension is one of Metro’s most ambitious transit infrastructure projects and marks a major milestone in Los Angeles public transportation. The new section extends subway service beyond the current Wilshire/Western station in Koreatown and introduces three new underground stations:

• Wilshire/La Brea
• Wilshire/Fairfax
• Wilshire/La Cienega

The expansion is part of Metro’s larger “Twenty-Eight by ’28” initiative designed to improve mobility across the region ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills in About 20 Minutes

With the extension now open, riders can travel from Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills in approximately 20 minutes with no transfers required.

The D Line extension is expected to significantly improve travel along the heavily congested Wilshire Boulevard corridor, offering commuters, visitors and residents a faster and more reliable alternative to driving.

“Traveling through Mid-Wilshire to experience the culture, cuisine and commerce across diverse neighborhoods will be easier, faster and more accessible,” said Fernando Dutra, Metro Board Chair and City of Whittier Council Member.

Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins also highlighted the importance of the project in connecting Angelenos to some of the city’s most iconic destinations.

“Angelenos and visitors alike will love the extended service from Downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills, delivering greater access to the iconic and culturally diverse communities, institutions and destinations that define the deep history along Wilshire Boulevard,” Wiggins said.

New Stations Connect Riders to Cultural Landmarks

Wilshire/La Brea Station

Located near Hancock Park and the western edge of Koreatown, the station provides access to cultural and entertainment destinations including:

• Korean Cultural Center
• Marciano Art Foundation
• Ebell Theater
• Popular restaurants including Republique and Sycamore Kitchen

Wilshire/Fairfax Station

Known as the heart of Museum Row, this station serves some of Los Angeles’ most recognizable cultural institutions and attractions, including:

• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
• Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
• Petersen Automotive Museum
• La Brea Tar Pits
• The Grove
• Original Farmers Market

The station also connects neighborhoods including Little Ethiopia, Park La Brea and the historic Fairfax District.

Wilshire/La Cienega Station

Serving as the eastern gateway to Beverly Hills, the station provides convenient access to Restaurant Row and destinations including the Beverly Center.

A Major Milestone for Los Angeles Transit

The D Line extension has been decades in the making and is widely considered one of the most important transit projects in Los Angeles history.

The project was funded primarily through Measure R, the voter-approved transportation sales tax passed in 2008, along with substantial federal funding support that included:

• $1.25 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA)
• $66.4 million supplemental New Starts funding
• $749.3 million TIFIA loan

All three stations feature modern amenities including public artwork, enhanced lighting, cell phone service, bicycle hubs and improved pedestrian access.

Metro officials hope the extension will encourage more residents and visitors to use public transportation while helping reduce roadway congestion ahead of major international events scheduled for Los Angeles later this decade.

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What’s Next for the D Line?

Construction is already underway on future phases of the D Line extension.

Phase 2 will continue west into Beverly Hills and Century City, while Phase 3 will eventually extend subway service to UCLA and the West Los Angeles VA campus.

Once completed, the D Line will provide a direct subway connection between Downtown Los Angeles and the Westside, dramatically reshaping mobility across one of Southern California’s busiest corridors.

Learn More

For official project details and station information, visit:

Metro D Line Opening Information

LA Metro Official Website

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Last Updated on April 4, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Few transportation systems in the world are as instantly recognizable as the cable cars of San Francisco. Climbing steep hills with a steady hum and a nostalgic charm, these moving landmarks are more than just a tourist attraction—they’re a triumph of innovation born out of necessity.

🐎 A Problem on the Hills

In the mid-1800s, San Francisco was growing rapidly, but its geography posed a serious challenge. The city’s steep inclines made travel difficult, especially for horse-drawn streetcars, which were the primary form of public transportation at the time.

Horses often struggled to pull heavy loads uphill, and accidents were common. In some cases, animals collapsed under the strain. This dangerous and inefficient system needed a solution.

💡 The Vision of Andrew Hallidie

That solution came from Andrew Smith Hallidie, an engineer and entrepreneur who envisioned a safer, more reliable way to move people through the city.

Hallidie developed a system in which streetcars would be pulled by a continuously moving cable running beneath the street—eliminating the need for horses altogether.

⚙️ The First Cable Car Line

On August 2, 1873, Hallidie launched the world’s first cable car system: the Clay Street Hill Railroad.

This groundbreaking line proved that cable-powered transit could successfully navigate San Francisco’s steep terrain. Instead of relying on animal power, cars used a mechanical grip to latch onto a moving cable underground, allowing them to glide smoothly up and down hills.

The innovation quickly captured public attention—and demand.

🚀 A City Transformed

Following the success of the Clay Street line, cable car systems spread rapidly across San Francisco.

By the late 19th century:

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• Dozens of routes crisscrossed the city
• Cable cars became the backbone of urban transportation
• The system helped shape the city’s growth and accessibility

For a time, San Francisco operated the largest and most advanced cable car network in the world.

⚡ The Rise of Electric Streetcars

Despite their success, cable cars faced competition from emerging electric streetcar systems in the early 20th century. Electric trolleys were cheaper to build and operate, and they didn’t require the complex underground cable infrastructure.

The turning point came after the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake, which destroyed much of the city—including large portions of the cable car network.

When rebuilding began, many lines were converted to electric systems instead of restoring the older cable technology.

🛑 Saving a Symbol

By the 1940s, cable cars were on the brink of extinction.

That’s when Friedel Klussmann stepped in. A passionate preservationist, Klussmann led a public campaign to protect the remaining lines from being dismantled.

Her efforts culminated in a successful 1947 voter referendum that ensured the survival of San Francisco’s cable cars—transforming them from everyday transit into a preserved cultural landmark.

🌉 Cable Cars Today

Today, San Francisco’s cable cars are:

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• The last manually operated cable car system in the world
• A National Historic Landmark
• One of the most visited attractions in California

Three lines remain in operation:

• Powell–Hyde Line
• Powell–Mason Line
• California Street Line

While they still function as public transit, they now serve as a moving museum—connecting modern riders with the city’s past.

🎯 Why It Matters

San Francisco’s cable cars represent more than a mode of transportation. They tell a story of innovation, resilience, and community action.

From solving a practical problem to becoming a global icon, the cable car system reflects how cities adapt—and how people fight to preserve what makes them unique.

📌 “Now You Know”

San Francisco’s cable cars weren’t built for tourism—they were invented to solve a life-and-death problem on steep city streets. Today, they remain the last system of their kind anywhere in the world.

🔗 External Sources & Related Links

• SFMTA – Cable Cars Overview
• San Francisco Cable Car Museum
• National Park Service – Historic Landmark Info
• Britannica – Cable Car History
• History.com – Invention of Cable Cars

Explore the latest in innovation, AI, gadgets, startups, and digital trends in STM Daily News’ Techsection.

LOS ANGELES — Century Boulevard is one of the most recognizable east–west corridors in South Los Angeles, stretching from Watts to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). But despite its grand-sounding name, the origin of “Century” is surprisingly simple—and rooted in math.

The Meaning Behind “Century”

Century Boulevard sits roughly 100 blocks south of downtown Los Angeles, where the city’s street numbering system begins at 1st Street and Main Street. Instead of naming the road “100th Street,” city planners opted for a more distinctive and memorable name: Century Boulevard.

In this case, “Century” literally means 100.

Part of Los Angeles’ Grid System

Los Angeles was designed using a grid-based street layout, especially in its expanding southern neighborhoods during the early 20th century. Streets were often named or numbered based on their distance from downtown.

Century Boulevard aligns with what would have been the 100th Street corridor—making it a key reference point in the city’s geography.

A Street That Evolved Over Time

Before it became Century Boulevard, portions of the roadway were known by other names, including Pine Avenue and San Antonio Street. As the region developed and expanded, these segments were unified under a single name in the 1920s.

This consolidation helped streamline navigation and supported growing transportation needs.

From Local Road to Global Gateway

The importance of Century Boulevard grew significantly with the rise of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Today, it serves as a major gateway for millions of travelers entering the city.

The road connects diverse communities—from historic neighborhoods in South Los Angeles to the bustling airport corridor—making it both a local lifeline and an international entry point.

More Than Just a Name

Century Boulevard reflects a broader pattern in Los Angeles street naming:

• Some streets honor historical figures
• Others reflect geography or culture
• And some, like Century, are rooted in the city’s structured grid system

It’s a reminder that even the most ordinary street names can reveal deeper stories about how a city was built.

The Bottom Line

Century Boulevard isn’t named after an event—it’s named for its location. Positioned at the 100th Street line, it represents both the logic of Los Angeles’ design and the growth of the city over time.

Now you know.

Related External Links

• Century Boulevard – Overview and History
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Official Website
• Los Angeles City Planning Department
• Los Angeles Public Library: The Story Behind LA Street Names
• LA Metro – Transportation System Information
• Calisphere – Historical Images and Maps of Los Angeles

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