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[KevinKorell]

7th Street/Metro Center is the major downtown transfer point in Los Angeles between the Blue Line light rail and the Red & Purple Lines heavy rail. They cross at different grades at this underground station. The Red & Purple Lines are on the lower level and feature an island platform. The Blue Line is one level up from there, and it has two side platforms. The latter station was not built with the intent that it be an endpoint station, but that's exactly what it has been since it opened 18 years ago.

Therefore, when transferring to a Blue Line train or originating there, one must be mindful of the fact that the next train could be on either platform. There is a connection between the two platforms behind the bumping posts.

The station also officially carries the name Julian Dixon, but few refer to it that way.

There may finally be a resolution to the endpoint status of this station as Metro appears to be getting serious about building the downtown connector, which will bring the light rail line to Union Station and offer through service to Pasadena and East Los Angeles over what is currently known as the Gold Line (the latter segment should be open and running before we get there).

Before the extension happens, the station will also be the start/end point for the first segment of the Expo (Aqua) Line light rail, which willl run concurrently with the Blue Line for a bit before branching off and heading southwest and then west to Culver City.

On the surface at this station are three entrances/exits along 7th Street, as well as some downtown shopping and hotels.

More on the 7th/Metro Center station