Gold Line Foothill Extension

Gold Line Foothill Extension is a Los Angeles Metro Rail project that extends the Gold Line from Pasadena to Pomona, passing through San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire. The project is managed by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), in collaboration with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and local cities such as Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa, and Glendora. The extension aims to improve public transportation in the region, reducing traffic congestion on Interstate 210 and Interstate 10, and promoting economic development in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire regions, including cities like Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland.

Introduction

The Gold Line Foothill Extension is part of the larger Los Angeles Metro Rail system, which includes lines such as the Red Line, Purple Line, Blue Line, and Expo Line. The extension is expected to benefit residents and commuters in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire regions, including students at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and University of La Verne. The project has received support from local leaders, including Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors members such as Hilda Solis and Kathryn Barger, as well as California State Legislature members like Anthony Portantino and Susan Rubio.

History

The Gold Line Foothill Extension project has its roots in the 1990s, when the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) began planning for the extension of the Gold Line from Pasadena to Claremont. The project was initially expected to be completed in the early 2000s, but it was delayed due to funding issues and environmental concerns. In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided funding for the project, which allowed construction to begin in 2010. The project has since received funding from various sources, including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), as well as support from local organizations like the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and the Inland Empire Economic Partnership.

Route

The Gold Line Foothill Extension runs from Pasadena to Pomona, passing through the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire regions. The route follows the San Bernardino Line corridor, which is owned by Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway. The extension includes a 6.4-mile segment from Pasadena to Azusa, which was completed in 2016, and a 12.3-mile segment from Azusa to Pomona, which is currently under construction. The route passes through cities such as Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, and Glendora, and is expected to provide connections to other transportation modes, including Metrolink and Foothill Transit at stations like Arcadia Station and Monrovia Station.

Stations

The Gold Line Foothill Extension includes several stations, including Arcadia Station, Monrovia Station, Duarte/City of Hope Station, Irwindale Station, Azusa Downtown Station, and Pomona Station. The stations are designed to provide easy access to surrounding neighborhoods and destinations, such as the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia and the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in Pomona. The stations are also expected to promote transit-oriented development, with mixed-use projects and housing developments planned around the stations, such as the Arcadia Transit Village and the Monrovia Station Square.

Construction

The construction of the Gold Line Foothill Extension is being managed by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and local cities. The project has required the construction of new tracks, signals, and stations, as well as the relocation of utilities and the mitigation of environmental impacts. The construction process has involved the use of advanced technologies, such as computer-aided design (CAD), building information modeling (BIM), and geographic information system (GIS), to ensure accuracy and efficiency. The project has also created jobs and stimulated economic growth in the region, with contractors like Skanska and Kiewit Corporation working on the project.

Operations

The Gold Line Foothill Extension is expected to provide frequent and reliable service, with trains running every 10-15 minutes during peak hours. The extension will be operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), which will be responsible for maintaining the tracks, signals, and stations, as well as providing customer service and managing the fare system. The extension will also be integrated with other transportation modes, including Metrolink and Foothill Transit, to provide seamless connections for passengers traveling throughout the region, including to destinations like Los Angeles Union Station and Ontario International Airport. The project is expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and promote economic development in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire regions, including cities like Riverside, San Bernardino, and Fontana.