2017 Gold Line Updates
January 2017
In January, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority Board of Directors approved an updated project schedule for the 12.3-mile, six-station Foothill Gold Line light rail extension from Glendora to Montclair. The updated schedule is based on detailed constructability reviews conducted as part of the advanced conceptual engineering phase and a more extensive understanding that the next segment is really two major construction projects in one – first the freight and Metrolink relocation/reconstruction, and then the light rail system construction. The project will break ground in October 2017 and is anticipated to reach substantial completion in late-2025 to early-2026. The first year will be spent relocating utilities, conducting other pre-construction activities, and hiring a design-build contractor. A contractor is anticipated to be hired in late-2018 for the seven to eight year, design-build project. Plans are still being developed for the ground breaking ceremony. As more is known, we will share the details.
Below is the updated Glendora to Montclair work plan, approved by the Construction Authority board at their January 2017 meeting:
Click here to learn more about funding for the Foothill Gold Line from Glendora to Montclair.
December 2017
On Saturday, December 2, Mayor Paul Eaton; Council Members Bill Ruh, John Dutrey, and Trisha Martinez; and City staff attended the Foothill Gold Line Groundbreaking Ceremony at Citrus College. An estimated 700 people attended to mark construction of the 12.3-mile Foothill Gold Line extension from Glendora to Montclair (Phase 2B). The $1.5 billion project is the first post-Measure M-funded rail project to break ground and will add 6 new stations (Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont, and Montclair) to the expanding network of rail lines.
The following map shows each of the proposed six stations scheduled to be built as part of the Phase 2B extension of the Metro Gold Line light Rail System from Glendora to Montclair.
A Beacon Economics report released earlier this month predicted that Phase 2B’s construction activities would produce a number of economic benefits to the region, including nearly 17,000 jobs, more than $2.6 billion in economic output, more than $1 billion in labor income, and nearly $40 million tax revenues. Once passenger service begins, the Beacon Economics report indicates ongoing economic benefit will accrue to the region, including $52 million in annual economic output, $17 million in labor income, and $800,000 in tax revenues. Phase 2B light rail service will also generate 277 permanent jobs. 2017 Southern California Images in the News
The first 3 years of construction will focus on relocation of utilities, pre-construction work, and selecting a design-build contractor in 2018. Major construction on tracks and the system will begin in late 2019 or early 2020, with construction divided into 2 phases: (1) relocating/rebuilding the freight/Metrolink systems to make room for Gold Line tracks; and (2) building the Gold Line light rail system from Glendora to Montclair, with completion in 2025-26.
In addition to the existing 27 stations, Phase 2B will add 5 new stations in Los Angeles County and a 6th station across the Los Angeles County line at the Montclair Transcenter—the eastern terminus of the Gold Line and the only light rail station to be constructed in San Bernardino County.
Following the opening of the $1 billion Phase 2A extension on March 5, 2016, from Pasadena to Azusa, the Gold Line emerged as the Los Angeles region’s longest light-rail line, stretching nearly 43 miles from Azusa through Irwindale, Monrovia, Duarte, Arcadia, Pasadena, Highland Park, downtown Los Angeles, and the cultural hubs of Chinatown and Boyle Heights. Ridership demand on the extended Gold Line exceeded expectations, soaring to 58,000 daily riders—10,000 more than predicted—causing Metro to add more trains to meet demand.
Each of the 6 proposed Phase 2B stations are within a short walk, bike, or bus ride to nearly two dozen colleges and universities, solidifying the Gold Line’s reputation as “The Brain Train”. Phase 2B will also provide easy connections to the Los Angeles County Fairplex, historic downtowns, regional parks and recreation areas, art and historical museums, a regional shopping center (Montclair Place), and transit-oriented district living (Montclair and other Gold Line Corridor cities).
Phase 2B will be built by the Foothill Gold Line Extension Construction Authority, in partnership with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and the 6 corridor cities. The portion of the project from Glendora to Claremont is being funding by Metro and cap-and-trade, and the portion from Claremont to Montclair is being funded by SBCTA and cap-and-trade. The City of Montclair advanced $3 million for completion of the Advanced Conceptual Engineering and Environmental work.
Eighteen local, state, and federal dignitaries spoke at the Phase 2B Groundbreaking Ceremony, including: Congress Members Adam Schiff (28th Congressional District—Congressman Schiff, the current ranking member on the House Select Intelligence Committee, is often referred to as the “Father of the Gold Line”); Norma Torres (35th Congressional District—as a California Assembly Member, Congresswoman Torres authored Assembly Bill 1600, designating Montclair as the eastern terminus of the Gold Line; Grace Napolitano (32nd Congressional District); and Judy Chu (27th Congressional District); California State Senators Connie Leyva (20th District) and Anthony Portantino (25th District); Metro Board Chairman/Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; Foothill Gold Line Board Chairman Doug Tessitor and Vice Chairman/Claremont Council Member Sam Pedroza; Metro Board Members Hilda Solis (Los Angeles County Supervisor, First District), Kathryn Barger (Los Angeles County Supervisor, Fifth District), John Fasana (Duarte Mayor Pro Tem), and Ara Najarian (Glendale Council Member); Metro CEO Phillip Washington; Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian; Glendora Mayor Gary Boyer (host city); and Citrus College Superintendent/President Geraldine Perri.
Many of the speakers lauded the project as a catalyst for new housing along the 6 stations. Senator Connie Leyva gave particular recognition to the City of Montclair and development within the North Montclair Downtown Specific Plan (NMDSP) area.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke of his commitment to represent regional rail interests beyond the City of Los Angeles and gave recognition to public transit as vital to bringing workers in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire to the job centers in Los Angeles.
State Senator Portantino who, along with Senator Leyva and Assembly Member Freddie Rodriguez, was instrumental in moving Metro and SBCTA toward a joint cap-and-trade funding application for Phase 2B, noted that Phase 2B follows the trail to the “American Dream,” and a transportation system should be constructed to achieve that goal.
Representative Schiff, the “Father of the Gold Line,” praised the region’s progress toward construction of an extensive light rail system, noting it is essential for California to continue developing its own stream of transit and transportation funds because of the lack of federal commitment to transportation funding.
Representative Torres, a tireless worker on behalf of the Gold Line, observed the next step is to extend the Gold Line to Ontario International Airport. She also observed that the Inland Empire is considered an undesirable place in which to retire because of a lack of public transit.
In addition to the speakers, attendees enjoyed local musical talent. The Citrus Singers provided a unique rendition of the National Anthem; presentation of the Colors was provided by the San Gabriel Valley Young Marines; the Montclair High School Pep Band, under direction of James Ana, was selected to provide pre-ceremony entertainment; and post-ceremony entertainment was provided by marching bands from Claremont and Pomona high schools, the Bonita High School Pep Band, and the Glendora High School Pipe Band and Color Guard.
Congratulations to all Phase 2B Gold Line cities, Metro, and the Construction Authority.
Pictured L-R: Sam Pedroza, Claremont Council Member; Cristina Carrizosa, Pomona Council Member (District 3); Don Kendrick, La Verne Mayor; Paul Eaton, Montclair Mayor (seated); Gary Boyer, Glendora Mayor; Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles Mayor; Corey Calaycay, Claremont Council Member, and Habib Balian, CEO, Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority
“The Journey Continues!”