The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved $10 million for the 24-mile Gold Line Foothill Extension that is going through Arcadia to Claremont. The money comes from Measure R.
Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) is not considering the Gold Line Foothill Extension from Sierra Madre to Claremont a priority now. County transportation officials recommended the so-called "Subway to the Sea," a proposed extension of the Purple Line out to Santa Monica and a "regional connector" project that would link several rail lines through downtown Los Angeles, as the priorities.
After receiving intense pressure from San Gabriel Valley lawmakers, the county's transportation board, the MTA, finally put the Gold Line extension in its long-term plans. This opens up the possibility of federal funding for the project. With this commitment, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has agreed to provide day-to-day operational funding for the first phase of the Gold Line Foothill extension once it is completed.
The 13-member MTA board voted to leave the Gold Line Extension off a critical funding list. This delays the construction of the $1.4 billion project , a 24-mile rail link between Pasadena and Montclair, until at least the end of 2009.
The Arcadia city council endorsed the construction of the second phase of the Gold Line as a light rail transit system. Grade level of the major street crossings was discussed.
The legislation to extend control over the Gold Line extension to 10 East San Gabriel Valley cities including Arcadia did not pass. The bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Carol Liu will be reviewed again in January.
Ridership on the Gold Line has fallen below expectations. The MTA is now considering a new express service to encourage residents in East Pasadena and Arcadia to take the light rail train.
John Fasana, a Duarte City Council member and Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) board member, will introduce a measure today to include the 24-mile Gold Line Extension to Claremont in the MTA's long range transportation plan. To get federal stimulus money, the Gold Line needs to be listed in the MTA's long-range plan. Fasana wants to see the MTA reinforce the commitments made in Measure R, the tax measure that Los Angeles County voters approved to provide more than $700 million for the Gold Line.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has taken away $10 milion in funding for the Gold Line extension, but officials are determined to build it from Pasadena to Claremont.
The Gold Line received federal financial support in the final House appropriations bill. Monrovia, Arcadia and other cities along the planned extension of the route from Pasadena to Claremont have formed a joint powers authority to study grade separations.
The city council has decided to appropriate $35,000 toward the design of a light rail bridge over Santa Anita Avenue. This is to pay for early design work needed for an environmental impact report. The bridge project is expected to cost the city $10.7 million which may come from a bond. The Construction Authority would pay $18.4 million bringing total bridge cost to $29.1 million.
The Blue Line Construction authority board supported creation of a 15-member panel to see the planning, design and construction of the Gold Line's 22.5 mile extension thru Arcadia to Claremont.
Eleven cities, including Arcadia, are vying for representation for the planning, design and funding of the proposed eastern extension of the Gold Line.
Measure R, by which voters approved a half-cent sales tax last November, was to fund dozens of new transportation projects across Los Angeles County. However, rather than launch new projects, several San Gabriel Valley cities plan to use the windfall to keep municipal bus routes and Dial-a-Ride shuttles in operation. Arcadia may store up some of the funding it is due to receive, 290,000 this year and $496,000 next year, for a larger project down the line, said Transportation Services Manager Linda Hui. Possible projects include funding part of a grade separation at a future Gold Line station in Arcadia, or funding other Gold Line station enhancements, such as shuttle services. Street improvements are also a possibility for Arcadia.
An eastern extension of the Metro Gold line from Pasadena to Clarement has not been funded but government leaders and residents are planning for the trains to go east. Cost of the extension may top $1 billion.
A memorandum of understanding between the Blue Line Construction Authority board and the 13-member Gold Line Phase Two Construction Authority board will determine how much control the 11 cities from Arcadia to Montclair will get over the $1.3 billion rail expansion.
Five-year-old Krysti Chavez of Arcadia sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the opening of the Orange Line in the San Fernando Valley. A photo with caption is included.