Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension moves ahead. Contractor Kiewit Parsons is given full "notice to proceed" to build the 11.5 mile route for the light rail train from Pasadena to Azusa, with a stop in Arcadia, by a planned 2015 completion date.
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.
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.
Closures of southbound Baldwin Avenue in Arcadia starting July 6 for approximately 2 weeks. Crews will be installing underground duct banks and electrical vaults as part of the 11.5 mile Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Light Rail project.
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.
Officials lobby for Gold Line extension funding. $764 million is needed to finish the final segment of the extension from Azusa-to-Claremont. The Gold Line Construction Authority board this week approved an updated expense plan for the entire 23-mile Pasadena-to-Claremont extension of nearly $1.6 billion, of which $810 million has already been allocated, with full completion planned for 2021. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has already funded the Gold Line's 11.5 mile, $750 million Pasadena-to-Azusa segment with Measure R revenues, but the $780 million Azusa-to-Claremont segment has yet to be funded.
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.
Mass transit riders take preview run on 11.5 mile Gold Line Foothill extension from is current terminus at Sierra Madre Villa Station (in Pasadena) to the six new stations to the east, including Arcadia Station, Monrovia Station, Duarte Station, Irwindale Station, Downtown Azusa Station, and Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College Station. The new rail cars are stainless steel, made by Kinkisharyo, Model P3010.
Trainspotting in Arcadia. First tests of Gold Line light rail between Pasadena and Azusa start. Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension conducted the first of many clearance tests involving actual Metro Gold Line train from Sierra Madre Villa Station (in Pasadena) to Azusa. The train was a $4 million Ansaldo Breda P2250 with specialized gear to test clearances, wheel/rail interface, rail switches, and Overhead Catenary System.
Foothill Gold Line construction update. The Gold Line light rail from Pasadena to Azusa has now surpassed 85% complete. Overview of bridge construction, track completion, grade crossings, and train testing. Substantial completion of entire project remains on schedule for late September 2015, when the project as a whole will be turned over to Metro for pre-revenue service. Metro will decide when the line will open for passenger service.
Gold Line bridge construction work will cause up to 20 nights of complete closures on the 210 Freeway in the next two months. The freeway bridge is the first part of the $735 million, 11.5 mile Pasadena to Azusa Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension.
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.
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.
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.
Closure of Santa Anita Avenue today begins seven months of bridge construction in Arcadia. Crews will begin constructing a new bridge over Santa Anita Avenue at the railroad crossing in Arcadia, as part of the 11.5 mile Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension light rail project.
Train testing underway throughout summer along the Foothill Gold Line light rail project from Pasadena to Azusa. Testing is currently taking place in Duarte and portions of Irwindale, and will expand to the cities of Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia and Azusa over the next several months.