The Expo Line Rail connecting Downtown L.A. to Santa Monica is expected to be completed by 2015. (Associated Press)

Los Angeles Metro officials showed off the new Expo light rail line on Western Avenue Monday with city council members from Culver City and Los Angeles looking on. The line will connect downtown Los Angeles with Culver City, and trains are expected to start running later this year.

“This is the first time the southwest part of Los Angeles and the western part of Los Angeles will be integrated into the regional transportation network.” said Zev Yaroslavsky from the Expo Authority Board.

Metro officials started up the trains Monday for the first time and did a test run from the Exposition Park station to the Western Avenue station. Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks and Culver City Councilman Scott Malsin were standing by when the train rolled into the station.

“There is a tremendous sense of excitement throughout the region about the opening of the Expo line,” said Malsin.

A later installment of the project will continue the rail from Culver City to Santa Monica.

“"It’s the first installment of a network of trains that will give the community the ability to make choices to get where they want to go,” said Parks.

Officials say service from Los Angeles to Culver City will begin this fall and the complete line to Santa Monica will be completed in 2015.