Too many D words for L.A. Metro’s latest tunneling project

Written by RT&S Staff
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L.A. Metro is expected to approve a $200 million increase in the budget for the D Line project.
LA Metro

L.A. Metro’s Purple Line has been renamed the D Line, and right now the tunnel boring machines are taking on the difficult portion of the line. For Metro, that also stands for more dollars.

Metro’s Construction Committee approved a $200 million increase for the D Line project, moving the total budget up to $3 billion. The Metro board is expected to approve the additional funding this week.

Tar sands and methane sit below the section between La Brea and Fairfax Avenue. Tunneling in this area has resulted in more than 60 shutdowns. When methane gas is detected, the boring machines stop. The tunnel grinders are currently moving through tar and grassy conditions between Fairfax and La Cienega. An oil well also was discovered in this area, forcing a 10-ft shift in the tunnel trajectory. Officials believe there also is an abandoned oil well that will have to be dealt with on the line.

Higher than expected dewatering costs, hydrogen sulfide gas, archeological finds, changes from L.A. City DWP and the Bureau of Engineering, and Beverly Hills limitations on construction are other factors driving up the cost of the project.

Metro will be using leftover funds from the E Line construction to pay for the D Line cost overruns.

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