There's ample evidence now that the Expo Construction Authority’s contractor Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. have begun the next stage of construction of the Expo Line -- a bridge over Venice Boulevard Bridge.

The Venice Boulevard Bridge construction is anticipated to take approximately nine months.

Crews have been working underground for several months to clear away power lines and poles that were in the way, and they're currently drilling the holes for the column foundations along the Expo Right-of-Way adjacent to the Culver City Expo Line Station. Next, they'll be setting and forming the columns from concrete and steel -- including one in the middle of Venice Boulevard.

Here's how the same space looked back in September:

According to Metro, as the first anniversary of the 1st phase to Culver City draws near, ridership has surpassed expectations, with nearly 26,000 passengers a day.