Metro Library Knowledge Hub: The past, present and future of Los Angeles transportation

Metro Rail Lines: Groundbreakings & Openings

1990 July 14: Metro Blue Line opens between downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach (later renamed “A Line”)

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1990 September 1: Metro Blue Line Long Beach Loop opens

1991 February 15: Metro Blue Line, Segment II opens between 12th/Pico Station and 7th/Flower Station in downtown Los Angeles.

1992 October 26: Once part of Metro, Metrolink begins operations

Grand opening of Metrolink operation.

1993 January 30: Metro Red Line, Segment I opens between Union Station and 7th/Metro Station (later renamed “B Line”)

Supervisor Ed Edelman, Mayor Tom Bradley, Los Angeles City Councilman John Ferraro, Governor Pete Wilson, and Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke.

1995 July 12: Metro Green Line opens between Norwalk and Redondo Beach (later renamed “C Line”)

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1996 July 15: Metro Red Line Segment IIA opens between Alvarado Street to Wilshire/Western Station (later renamed Purple Line, then again later renamed D Line)

Magazine article with photos of families on the Wilshire Corridor.

2000 June 24: Metro Red Line Segment III opens between Hollywood/Vine and North Hollywood

Opening ceremony of Metro Red Line to the San Fernando Valley.

2003 July 25: Metro Gold Line opens between downtown Los Angeles and Sierra Madre Villa Station in East Pasadena (later renamed “L Line”)

Cover of Metro Quarterly featuring the Metro Gold Line opening.

2005 October 29: Metro Orange Line opens, a 14-mile dedicated bus rapid transit line between North Hollywood and Woodland Hills (later renamed “G Line”)

Opening of the Metro Orange Line.

2009 November 15: Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension opens between Los Angeles Union Station and East Los Angeles

Politicians and dignitaries attend ribbon cutting ceremony of the Metro Gold Line extension.

2009 December 13: Metro Silver Line opens, a 38-mile bus rapid transit line between El Monte and Harbor Gateway / San Pedro, via downtown Los Angeles.

2012 April 27: Metro Expo Line, Phase I opens between downtown Los Angeles and Culver City (later renamed “E” Line)

Metro Expo Line Phase I opening.

2016 March 5: Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension opens from Sierra Madre Villa Station to Azusa Station

Ribbion cutting ceremony at Durate/City of Hope Station.

2016 May 20: Metro Expo Line, Phase II opens between Culver City and Santa Monica

2022 October 7: Metro Crenshaw Line (“K Line”) opens

Metro K Line opening banner.

2023 June 16: Metro Regional Connector opens

Updated on February 13, 2025