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.
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.
210 Freeway sound wall is finished. The Metro project, which started in 2009, consists of 2 miles of sound walls along westbound and eastbound lanes of the 210 Freeway between Santa Anita Avenue and California Avenue in Arcadia and Monrovia, paid with Measure R funds. The sound walls provide at least 5 decibels of noise reduction. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held. Several Arcadia residents near Victory Chapel on N. First Avenue, where the sound wall ends, are disappointed the barrier doesn't extend farther west.
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.
Missing Arcadia man Julius ("Cotton") Tinsley, 81, was found dead down a ravine at a turnout on Highway 18, about 2 miles north of the Snow Valley Ski Area. Julius Tinsley trained race horses for 54 years before retiring in 2000.
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.
Metro to improve 210 Freeway barriers, after a series of crashes over the last 2 years involved cars and trucks landing on the Gold Line tracks. Metro plans to install taller, stronger barriers and a detection system on 6 miles of right-of-way down the middle of the 210 Freeway in Pasadena and Arcadia.
Fisher family reunion celebrated during Monrovia Day. Forty-four descendants of Julian Fisher and Gladys Fisher are still around in this area. Julian Fisher was Monrovia's first African American police officer and his father was recruited to come work on Lucky Baldwin's race horses. Julian and Gladys Fisher had 11 children.
The Adams' Pack Station, owned by Deb Burgess, in the Chantry Flat area, 3 miles up a road starting from the top of Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia, fights to remain open as it faces costly upgrades required by the Los Angeles County Health Department. Forest authorities want it to remain a historic landmark, which would limit the amount and types of renovations that can be done.
Dana Middle School students released a weather balloon 80,000 feet into the air. It was made of latex and equipped with a tracking device that sent updates every 16 seconds to science teacher Mike Mora's laptop computer. The balloon reached its final resting place near California City, north of Edwards Air Force Base, about 150 miles from its launch point.
Singer Toni Braxton to entertain audience on November 2, in the infield during the Breeders' Cup. Also scheduled are Kristin Chenoweth, Babyface, Macy Gray, Joan Osborne, Dame and Jenny O.
Arcadia's iconic Santa Anita Park hires consultant Dennis Moore to work on the condition of the one mile training track, in the wake of 21 horse deaths since December 2018.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gold Line Foothill extension opens today. Timeline of history is shown. Parties begin at 10:00 AM for opening ceremony, free rides today. The $1 billion, 11.5-mile extension opens for passenger service. New stations in Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, and two in Azusa.