Final Tunneling Machine Breaks Through in Westwood

Los Angeles, CA · April 29, 2026

Happy Wednesday—the sun is out, the air is crisp, and if you’re commuting through Westwood today, you might just hear the faint rumble of history being made underground. The final tunneling machine for the D Line extension is scheduled to reach its destination this afternoon, marking a massive step toward connecting the Westside to the rest of the rail network.

📰 The Lead

The "Subway to the Sea" project reached a literal light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel moment this morning. Metro’s final massive tunnel boring machine, nicknamed "Iris," is completing its journey at the future Westwood/VA Hospital station. This marks the end of heavy excavation for the nine-mile extension of the D Line from Wilshire/Western. While we still have a couple of years of track laying, station finishing, and testing ahead of us, the completion of the tunnels is the most significant engineering hurdle cleared to date. For residents who have endured years of Wilshire Boulevard lane closures and construction noise, today represents the beginning of the end for the heavy surface disruption. Once operational, the trip from downtown to West LA is expected to take about 25 minutes, regardless of the 405's mood.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • Sixth Street Viaduct Overnight Closure The bridge will close to all traffic starting at 10:00 PM tonight for scheduled maintenance and light fixture repairs. Crews expect to have the lanes reopened by 5:00 AM tomorrow, so plan an alternate route if you’re heading between Boyle Heights and the Arts District late tonight.

  • Cool Pavement Expansion in the Valley City crews are beginning a new stretch of "cool pavement" coating on residential streets in Winnetka today. The gray sealant reflects sunlight to reduce surface temperatures by up to 10 degrees. It’s part of a larger effort to combat the urban heat island effect before the summer spikes arrive.

  • LAUSD Launches Peer Support Pilot Starting this morning, ten high schools across the district are debuting a new student-led mental health program. Trained student ambassadors will staff "wellness corners" during lunch periods to provide a low-pressure way for classmates to find resources or just talk through stress.

☀️ Today's Outlook

  • High 77°F · Low 51°F — Clear It is a quintessential spring day—warm enough for short sleeves by noon, but you’ll definitely want a light layer if you’re out for an early morning walk or a late dinner. The visibility should be excellent, making it a great day for a hike.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Santa Monica: Wednesday Farmers Market Arizona Ave & 2nd St 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM Widely considered the best in the region, this mid-week market is where the city’s top chefs shop. Look for the first of the season’s stone fruits appearing at the farm stalls today.

  • Lunchtime Art Talk Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd 12:30 PM A quick, 15-minute deep dive into a single work of art. It’s the perfect culture break for anyone working in the Westwood area, and admission is always free.

  • Culver City: Bike Lane Community Hearing Mike Balkman Council Chambers, 9770 Culver Blvd 6:00 PM The city is discussing the proposed expansion of protected lanes along the Washington Boulevard corridor. If you commute on two wheels or live nearby, this is the place to voice your thoughts.

  • Residency Night at The Echo The Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd 8:00 PM Catch a rising local indie act for a low cover charge. Wednesday residencies are a long-standing neighborhood tradition for discovering the next big sound before they move to much larger stages.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • The Old Zoo at Griffith Park
    • Tucked away near the Mineral Wells Picnic Area, the ruins of the original city zoo offer a strange, haunting glimpse into local history. Opened in 1912 and abandoned in 1966, the stone caves and iron-barred cages were left intact when the animals moved to the current zoo site nearby. Today, it serves as one of the city's most unique picnic spots. Did you know the site was once the home of Griffith J. Griffith himself before he donated the land? Now, the only "residents" you'll find are the occasional film crew or hikers taking a break in the hollowed-out bear grottoes.

Los Angeles Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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