The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has voted to fully fund the $690 million Gold Line Foothill Extension, from Pasadena to Azusa, and to complete it by 2014, with money from Measure R. Measure R was approved by voters in the November 2008 election. It created a half-cent county sales tax intended for transportation projects. The MTA has the funding for the first phase of the Gold Line light rail to Azusa. The first phase is an 11-mile extension that includes stops in Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa.
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.
The 11.5 mile light rail Gold Line extension from Pasadena to Azusa was awarded to Foothill Transit Constructors. Kiewit-Parsons, a joint venture company, will design and build the project. Funding 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.
Elected officials from San Gabriel Valley foothill cities are angry after being told the second phase of the Gold Line Extension project (from Azusa to Claremont) will be given zero dollars from Measure R, despite an aggressive funding plan for other projects in Los Angeles, as proposed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). MTA staff wants to make permanent Measure R--the half cent sales tax passed by voters in 2008 that expires in 2039--to fund a list of transportation projects across the southland.
Gold Line Extension for the phase from Azusa to Claremont is uncertain. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board has approved asking county voters to extend the Measure R half-cent sales tax for 30 years beyond its expiration date--without a strategy to fund the Gold Line Foothill Extension to Claremont. The Gold Line's 11.5 mile Pasadena-to-Azusa segment is already funded and scheduled for completion in 2015.
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension had a ground breaking ceremony at Newcastle Park in Arcadia, for a project that would extend the line from East Pasadena to Azusa, with stops in Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte and Irwindale. This phase is fully funded through Measure R, the Los Angeles County half-cent sales tax increase that voters approved to fund transportation projects. Eventually the Gold Line will reach the Inland Empire.
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 Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority opened bidding yesterday on Phase 2A of the light rail's extension toward Azusa, which would make a stop in Arcadia. The project is estimated to cost more than $450 million with a completion date in 2017. Measure R guarantees full funding for the Gold Line Extension minus a gap of $500,000. With possible help from a private investment, the completion could be moved up to 2013.
The county Metropolitan Transportation Authority will sell naming rights to all rail lines, bus lines, and transit stations, such as the Gold Line Monrovia Station (in photo) and Foothill Gold Line Arcadia Station (in photo). The Corporate Sponsorship/Naming Rights Program was approved by the Metro board. CEO Phil Washington wants to stretch revenue; board member objects to commercialization.
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.