Gold Line Foothill Extension (Los Angeles Metro)
Encyclopedia
The Gold Line Foothill Extension is a planned extension of the Metro Gold Line light-rail corridor from its current terminus in Pasadena
, California
, east through the "Foothill Cities" of Los Angeles County. The plan is currently being implemented as two separate mass-transit projects, known as Phase 2A and Phase 2B, with termini in Azusa
and Montclair
, respectively. (A third project under consideration, Phase 2C, would extend the corridor further east to Ontario, California
.) The corridor extension will be a part of the Los Angeles County
Metro Rail System
.
When completed, the extension will be served by the Metro Gold Line. All three projects are being planned and implemented by the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (or simply, the "Construction Authority").
When the Regional Connector is built, the Foothill Extension would be served by the Blue Line.
Second Division right-of-way (ROW) through the Foothill Cities. These cities are located in the foothills south of the San Gabriel Mountains, in the northern San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Beginning at the existing Metro Gold Line station in East Pasadena, the route extends roughly east from there, ending in Montclair. The route parallels several major roads and highways, such as I-210
(Foothill Freeway), Huntington Drive
, and Foothill Boulevard.
The entire route from Pasadena to Montclair is expected to take about 35 minutes to traverse. This translates to an average of 41 mph (18.3 m/s)), nearly double the speed of the original "Phase 1" route from Los Angeles to Pasadena. The Construction Authority owns the right-of-way for this corridor.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Foothill Extension was completed in April 2006. Shortly thereafter, the process to complete the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) study was begun.
The FEIR studied two Build Alternatives: (1) an "LRT Full Build" alternative which would complete the entire extension to Montclair, and (2) an "LRT Build To Azusa" alternative, which would extend only to Azusa
. (In addition, the FEIR studied a "no build" alternative and a "Transportation Management System" alternative, as required by law.)
The FEIR calculated a "cost effectiveness index" (CEI) for each build alternative, compared to the "TSM" alternatives. The CEI for the "LRT Full Build" alternative is $23.69, and the CEI for the "LRT Build to Azusa" alternative is $21.09. Both of these CEIs are considered "medium" cost-effectiveness by the FTA.
On February 28, 2007, the Construction Authority Board certified the Final EIR and decided to complete the "LRT Build to Azusa" alternative, now known as Phase 2A. A second construction project, known as Phase 2B will bring the Gold Line to Montclair. Phase 2B will require a separate FEIR.
In October 2009, the Metro Board unanimously voted to include the Foothill Extension in its long-range plan, and approved funding for the construction and operation of Phase 2A.
.
freeway. From here, the route follows I-210 east to Arcadia
, where just west of Santa Anita Avenue, the ROW exits the freeway and transitions to grade. The route then follows a southeastward route through Arcadia, across Huntington Drive
, to Duarte Road. The ROW then continues east along the north side of Duarte Rd through Monrovia
and Duarte
. From Duarte, the ROW closely parallels I-210, along the freeway's south side, as it crosses I-605
and the San Gabriel River
into Irwindale
. Next, the ROW crosses back north over I-210 and Foothill Boulevard
into Downtown Azusa
. Finally, the ROW finishes its eastward journey through Azusa, terminating at Citrus Avenue, adjacent to Citrus College
.
The entire route is 11.3 miles (18.2 km) long and will take approximately 17.2 minutes to traverse.. The alignment will have six new stations:
As noted above, the Phase 2A will exit I-210 in Arcadia. In the past, a steel railroad bridge transitioned the ROW to grade. This bridge was removed by Caltrans, which deemed the structure unsafe following the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The Phase 2A project will construct a new bridge, known as the "Iconic Freeway Structure" (IFS), as the bridge's replacement. As its name suggests, the bridge will be "iconic", a monumental bridge with support columns which emulate the famed woven baskets of the native Chumash people. The IFS was designed by Andrew Leicester
Phase 2A also includes the new Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Facility. The M&O facility will be used for servicing, cleaning, painting and storing light-rail vehicles for Metro's growing fleet. It will have a total storage capacity of 104 vehicles. Originally planned for Irwindale, it will now be built on a 27 acres (10.9 ha) site in Monrovia.
In March 2011, the Foothill Authority requested an $45 million increase in total budget, to $735 million, to reflect updated cost estimates.
Per the agreements, the Construction Authority will not receive construction funds until the following two conditions are met: that the Construction Authority has completed negotiations with BNSF over use of the right-of-way (ROW), and that the Construction Authority has completed the SEIR and purchase at least half of the property to be used for the M&O facility. The agreements also specify that Metro will operate service over the line when it is completed.
In April 2011, the Construcion Authority completed its agreement with BNSF. BNSF, which currently uses part of the right-of-way (ROW) for light freight traffic, will relocate its freight service, either within the ROW (on a third track) or to a different ROW.
In July 2011, the Authority completed the second requirement, reaching agreement with the City of Monrovia for purchase of a city-owned site for the M&O facility. In addition, the Authority selected a joint venture of Kiewit Corporation and Parsons Corporation
as the design build contractor.
In July 2010, the Authority Board awarded the IFS contract to AECOM for design and Skanska USA for construction. Construction of the IFS have began in early 2011.
In August 2010, the Construction Authority announced a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the main alignment design-build contract. Three bids were submitted to the Construction Authority in January 2011: a winner was chosen in April 2011.
Phase 2A construction is scheduled to begin in late 2011, with revenue service planned to begin in July 2015.
.
on a final environmental impact report (FEIR) for the project. This FEIR is expected to be completed in December 2011.
, in San Bernardino County
, has joined the group of cities supporting the Foothill Extension in general, and the proposed Phase 2C project in particular.
In 2008, the Foothill Authority commissioned a study to determine the feasibility of the extension to Ontario airport. The study found the extension would be feasible, and provided several alignment alternatives. The extension would extend the Gold Line by between 7 miles (11.3 km) and 15 miles (24.1 km), and add up to four new stations, depending on the chosen alignment.
If the extension to Ontario were built, the resulting Gold Line (including the approved Foothill Extensions) would be at least 51 miles (82.1 km) in length, making it the longest light-rail line in the United States.
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, east through the "Foothill Cities" of Los Angeles County. The plan is currently being implemented as two separate mass-transit projects, known as Phase 2A and Phase 2B, with termini in Azusa
Azusa, California
Azusa is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 46,361 at the 2010 census, up from 44,712 at the 2000 census. Though sometimes assumed to be a compaction of the phrase "everything from A to Z in the USA" from an old Jack Benny joke, the place name "Azusa"...
and Montclair
Montclair, California
Montclair is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 36,664 at the 2010 United States Census.The current mayor is Paul M. Eaton.-Description:...
, respectively. (A third project under consideration, Phase 2C, would extend the corridor further east to Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
.) The corridor extension will be a part of the Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
Metro Rail System
Los Angeles County Metro Rail
Metro Rail is the rapid transit rail system consisting of five separate lines serving 70 stations in the Los Angeles County, California area. The new Expo line is due to enter service in early 2012. It connects with the Metro liner bus rapid transit system and also with the Metrolink commuter...
.
When completed, the extension will be served by the Metro Gold Line. All three projects are being planned and implemented by the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (or simply, the "Construction Authority").
When the Regional Connector is built, the Foothill Extension would be served by the Blue Line.
Route
The 23.9 miles (38.5 km) route of the Foothill Extension follows the old Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe RailwayAtchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
Second Division right-of-way (ROW) through the Foothill Cities. These cities are located in the foothills south of the San Gabriel Mountains, in the northern San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Beginning at the existing Metro Gold Line station in East Pasadena, the route extends roughly east from there, ending in Montclair. The route parallels several major roads and highways, such as I-210
Interstate 210 and State Route 210 (California)
Interstate 210 and State Route 210 together form a contiguous highway, called the Foothill Freeway, in the Greater Los Angeles area of the U.S. state of California. The western portion of the route is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, while the eastern portion is a state highway...
(Foothill Freeway), Huntington Drive
Huntington Drive
Huntington Drive is a major east–west street in Southern California. It runs from the merge of Soto Street and Mission Road near the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Los Angeles east through the El Sereno section of Los Angeles, South Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Arcadia,...
, and Foothill Boulevard.
The entire route from Pasadena to Montclair is expected to take about 35 minutes to traverse. This translates to an average of 41 mph (18.3 m/s)), nearly double the speed of the original "Phase 1" route from Los Angeles to Pasadena. The Construction Authority owns the right-of-way for this corridor.
Initial environmental review
The Foothill Extension project was originally conceived as "Phase 2" of the Metro Gold Line. (The route between Los Angeles and Pasadena is considered "Phase 1"). The Gold Line Construction Authority, which took over the Phase 1 project from Metro in 1999, is now coordinating the Phase 2 projects as well.The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Foothill Extension was completed in April 2006. Shortly thereafter, the process to complete the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) study was begun.
The FEIR studied two Build Alternatives: (1) an "LRT Full Build" alternative which would complete the entire extension to Montclair, and (2) an "LRT Build To Azusa" alternative, which would extend only to Azusa
Azusa, California
Azusa is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 46,361 at the 2010 census, up from 44,712 at the 2000 census. Though sometimes assumed to be a compaction of the phrase "everything from A to Z in the USA" from an old Jack Benny joke, the place name "Azusa"...
. (In addition, the FEIR studied a "no build" alternative and a "Transportation Management System" alternative, as required by law.)
The FEIR calculated a "cost effectiveness index" (CEI) for each build alternative, compared to the "TSM" alternatives. The CEI for the "LRT Full Build" alternative is $23.69, and the CEI for the "LRT Build to Azusa" alternative is $21.09. Both of these CEIs are considered "medium" cost-effectiveness by the FTA.
On February 28, 2007, the Construction Authority Board certified the Final EIR and decided to complete the "LRT Build to Azusa" alternative, now known as Phase 2A. A second construction project, known as Phase 2B will bring the Gold Line to Montclair. Phase 2B will require a separate FEIR.
In October 2009, the Metro Board unanimously voted to include the Foothill Extension in its long-range plan, and approved funding for the construction and operation of Phase 2A.
Phase 2A to Azusa
"Phase 2A" is the project to extend the Gold Line corridor from the Phase 1 terminus in Pasadena east to AzusaAzusa, California
Azusa is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 46,361 at the 2010 census, up from 44,712 at the 2000 census. Though sometimes assumed to be a compaction of the phrase "everything from A to Z in the USA" from an old Jack Benny joke, the place name "Azusa"...
.
Route and facilities
The Phase 2A route begins at the existing station in East Pasadena, in the median of the I-210Interstate 210 and State Route 210 (California)
Interstate 210 and State Route 210 together form a contiguous highway, called the Foothill Freeway, in the Greater Los Angeles area of the U.S. state of California. The western portion of the route is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, while the eastern portion is a state highway...
freeway. From here, the route follows I-210 east to Arcadia
Arcadia, California
Arcadia is an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and located approximately northeast of downtown Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley and at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains....
, where just west of Santa Anita Avenue, the ROW exits the freeway and transitions to grade. The route then follows a southeastward route through Arcadia, across Huntington Drive
Huntington Drive
Huntington Drive is a major east–west street in Southern California. It runs from the merge of Soto Street and Mission Road near the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Los Angeles east through the El Sereno section of Los Angeles, South Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Arcadia,...
, to Duarte Road. The ROW then continues east along the north side of Duarte Rd through Monrovia
Monrovia, California
Monrovia is a city located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 36,590 at the 2010 census, down from 36,929 at the 2000 census...
and Duarte
Duarte, California
Duarte is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 21,321, down from 21,486 at the 2000 census....
. From Duarte, the ROW closely parallels I-210, along the freeway's south side, as it crosses I-605
Interstate 605
Interstate 605 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Greater Los Angeles Area of Southern California...
and the San Gabriel River
San Gabriel River (California)
The San Gabriel River flows through southern Los Angeles County, California in the United States. Its main stem is about long, while its farthest tributaries extend almost altogether...
into Irwindale
Irwindale, California
Irwindale is a city in the San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 1,422 at the 2010 census, down from 1,446 at the 2000 census....
. Next, the ROW crosses back north over I-210 and Foothill Boulevard
Foothill Boulevard (Southern California)
Foothill Boulevard is a major road in the city and county of Los Angeles, as well as an arterial road in the city and county of San Bernardino, stretching well over 60 miles in length, with some notable breaks along the route...
into Downtown Azusa
Azusa, California
Azusa is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 46,361 at the 2010 census, up from 44,712 at the 2000 census. Though sometimes assumed to be a compaction of the phrase "everything from A to Z in the USA" from an old Jack Benny joke, the place name "Azusa"...
. Finally, the ROW finishes its eastward journey through Azusa, terminating at Citrus Avenue, adjacent to Citrus College
Citrus College
Citrus College is a community college located in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendora, California; the Citrus Community College District which supports the school includes the communities of Glendora, Azusa, Charter Oak, Claremont, Monrovia, and Duarte. The school is the oldest public community...
.
The entire route is 11.3 miles (18.2 km) long and will take approximately 17.2 minutes to traverse.. The alignment will have six new stations:
As noted above, the Phase 2A will exit I-210 in Arcadia. In the past, a steel railroad bridge transitioned the ROW to grade. This bridge was removed by Caltrans, which deemed the structure unsafe following the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The Phase 2A project will construct a new bridge, known as the "Iconic Freeway Structure" (IFS), as the bridge's replacement. As its name suggests, the bridge will be "iconic", a monumental bridge with support columns which emulate the famed woven baskets of the native Chumash people. The IFS was designed by Andrew Leicester
Phase 2A also includes the new Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Facility. The M&O facility will be used for servicing, cleaning, painting and storing light-rail vehicles for Metro's growing fleet. It will have a total storage capacity of 104 vehicles. Originally planned for Irwindale, it will now be built on a 27 acres (10.9 ha) site in Monrovia.
Budget
The original project budget for Phase 2A is $690 million. This includes not only construction, but also purchase of vehicles, financing, administrative costs, mitigation, and other costs. The original construction budget is $485 million, which breaks down as follows:| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Phase 2A alignment | $320 million |
| M&O facility | $130 million |
| Iconic Freeway Structure | $25 million |
| Parking structures | $10 million |
| Total: | $485 million |
In March 2011, the Foothill Authority requested an $45 million increase in total budget, to $735 million, to reflect updated cost estimates.
Supplemental EIR
A Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) was prepared by the Construction Authority and published on 23 September 2010. The main purpose of the SEIR was to study relocation of the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Facility from Irwindale to Monrovia. In addition, the SEIR study looked at other updates to the project, including new/relocated parking structures and bridges, as well as a redesigned crossing at Mountain Avenue. The SEIR was available for public review and comment through 9 December 2010. The Authority Board certified the SEIR on 18 January 2011.Preconstruction activities
In March 2010, Metro and the Construction Authority signed Master Cooperative and Funding Agreements for Phase 2A. These documents spell out the mechanisms for transfer of funds from Metro to the Construction Authority. The terms of cooperation and funding were the subject of intense negotiation for several months.Per the agreements, the Construction Authority will not receive construction funds until the following two conditions are met: that the Construction Authority has completed negotiations with BNSF over use of the right-of-way (ROW), and that the Construction Authority has completed the SEIR and purchase at least half of the property to be used for the M&O facility. The agreements also specify that Metro will operate service over the line when it is completed.
In April 2011, the Construcion Authority completed its agreement with BNSF. BNSF, which currently uses part of the right-of-way (ROW) for light freight traffic, will relocate its freight service, either within the ROW (on a third track) or to a different ROW.
In July 2011, the Authority completed the second requirement, reaching agreement with the City of Monrovia for purchase of a city-owned site for the M&O facility. In addition, the Authority selected a joint venture of Kiewit Corporation and Parsons Corporation
Parsons Corporation
Parsons Corporation is an engineering, construction, and technical and management services firm headquartered in Pasadena, California. Founded in 1944 by engineer Ralph M. Parsons, Parsons Corporation is currently one of the largest such companies in the United States, with revenues exceeding...
as the design build contractor.
Construction
A ceremonial groundbreaking for Phase 2A took place on 26 June 2010. The project will be completed under two design-build contracts: one for the Iconic Freeway Structure (IFS), and another for the rest of the alignment.In July 2010, the Authority Board awarded the IFS contract to AECOM for design and Skanska USA for construction. Construction of the IFS have began in early 2011.
In August 2010, the Construction Authority announced a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the main alignment design-build contract. Three bids were submitted to the Construction Authority in January 2011: a winner was chosen in April 2011.
Phase 2A construction is scheduled to begin in late 2011, with revenue service planned to begin in July 2015.
Phase 2B to Montclair
"Phase 2B" is the project to extend the Gold Line corridor from the Phase 2A terminus in Azusa east to MontclairMontclair, California
Montclair is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 36,664 at the 2010 United States Census.The current mayor is Paul M. Eaton.-Description:...
.
Proposed Route
Phase 2B is 12.6 miles (20.3 km) long and will take approximately 17.9 minutes to traverse. The alignment will have six new stations:- Glendora
- San Dimas
- La Verne
- Pomona (at Pomona MetrolinkPomona (Metrolink station)Pomona Station is located at 205 Santa Fe Street in Pomona, California. It is located just west of Garey Avenue and south of Bonita Avenue, and has 225 free parking spaces, which are accessible from either Santa Fe Street or Fulton Road. The north Pomona station serves the San Bernardino Line...
, connect with San Bernardino LineMetrolink San Bernardino LineThe San Bernardino Line is the busiest of Southern California's seven Metrolink lines, running from Downtown Los Angeles east through the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire to San Bernardino. It is one of the three initial lines on the original Metrolink system...
) - Claremont (at Claremont MetrolinkClaremont (Metrolink station)Claremont Metrolink Station is a passenger rail station in Claremont, California. It is served by Metrolink's San Bernardino Line which runs from Los Angeles Union Station to San Bernardino, with some trains continuing to Riverside on weekends. The Mission Revival-Spanish Colonial Revival style...
, connect with San Bernardino LineMetrolink San Bernardino LineThe San Bernardino Line is the busiest of Southern California's seven Metrolink lines, running from Downtown Los Angeles east through the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire to San Bernardino. It is one of the three initial lines on the original Metrolink system...
) - Montclair (at Montclair TranscenterMontclair TranscenterMontclair Transcenter is an intermodal transit center located at 5091 Richton Street in Montclair, California. It is located between Central and Monte Vista Avenues on Richton Street just north of the Montclair Plaza shopping center....
, connect with San Bernardino LineMetrolink San Bernardino LineThe San Bernardino Line is the busiest of Southern California's seven Metrolink lines, running from Downtown Los Angeles east through the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire to San Bernardino. It is one of the three initial lines on the original Metrolink system...
and Foothill TransitFoothill TransitFoothill Transit is a joint powers authority of 21 member cities in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. It operates a fixed-route bus public transit service in the San Gabriel Valley of Greater Los Angeles, California.-Overview:...
Silver Streak)
Status
The Board has directed its staff to seek funding for Phase 2B to Montclair, in the hopes of completion by 2017-2019. Since May 2010, staff has been working with contractor Parsons BrinckerhoffParsons Brinckerhoff
Parsons Brinckerhoff is a professional services firm with 14,000 employees in 150 offices providing construction and operation management, planning, design, engineering, program management, strategic consulting, environmental and sustainability services for clients and communities in the Americas,...
on a final environmental impact report (FEIR) for the project. This FEIR is expected to be completed in December 2011.
Phase 2C to Ontario
"Phase 2C" refers to a proposal under consideration to further extend the Gold Line corridor from the Phase 2B terminus in Montclair east to LA/Ontario International Airport. The city of OntarioOntario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
, in San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County, California
San Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
, has joined the group of cities supporting the Foothill Extension in general, and the proposed Phase 2C project in particular.
In 2008, the Foothill Authority commissioned a study to determine the feasibility of the extension to Ontario airport. The study found the extension would be feasible, and provided several alignment alternatives. The extension would extend the Gold Line by between 7 miles (11.3 km) and 15 miles (24.1 km), and add up to four new stations, depending on the chosen alignment.
If the extension to Ontario were built, the resulting Gold Line (including the approved Foothill Extensions) would be at least 51 miles (82.1 km) in length, making it the longest light-rail line in the United States.
External links
- Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority - the construction authority overseeing this project.
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) - the county's transportation planning agency.