The L.A. Convention Center expansion and modernization project is officially underway.

Mayor Karen Bass and other city leaders were at the convention center downtown on Wednesday morning for the groundbreaking of the endeavor, billed as “an important milestone to help revitalize downtown L.A. as a vibrant hub of economic, cultural and civic life.”

Bass signed the final approval for the expansion last week. It had been approved by the City Council in August.

The project is set to cost around $2.6 billion -- $5.9 billion when borrowing costs are included. It will add 190,000 square feet to connect the West and South halls.

Officials aim to have construction complete by the time the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics come to Los Angeles.

"We are taking bold actions to assure that we ca

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