By Terry Miller
Although the new Gold Line station “dedications” are set for the Foothill Extension Phase one completion, there is still a question as to when service will actually begin. In fact, no dates have been given by Metro other than “probably sometime in 2016.” Some people are singing the blues – like “When the Golden Train Comes Down” sung by The Sons of the Pioneers. Others are calling the project “The Tracks of My Tears” purely because no one seems to know (or will say) when the trains will actually be running.
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension has extended the existing Gold Line east from Pasadena. They did this in record time and under budget. The first phase will travel more than 11 miles from Sierra Madre Villa Station to Azusa .The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority has announced the dates for the upcoming station dedication ceremonies, taking place in August and September 2015. The station dedications will mark completion of construction for the six stations being built as part of the 11.5-mile light rail project from Pasadena to Azusa. The full project is on time and on budget to be turned over to Metro for pre-revenue service in late-September. Metro “anticipates starting pre-revenue service this fall, and then passenger service in 2016 (an opening date has not yet been determined).”
Phase 1 includes new stations at:
-Arcadia: Dedication Aug. 22 at 10 a.m.
-Monrovia: Dedication Sept. 12 at 10 a.m.
-Duarte/City of Hope: Dedication Aug. 15 at 10 a.m.
-Irwindale: Dedication Aug. 28 at 5 p.m.
-Azusa Downtown: Dedication Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.
The Foothill Extension Construction Authority expects to complete construction between Pasadena and Azusa in September 2015. Metro has started safety testing with a projected opening in 2016.
The second phase will continue the line for 12 miles east from Azusa to Montclair. Funding is currently being sought for this segment. The Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the Azusa to Montclair section was certified in March 2013 and preliminary engineering began in Summer 2014.
Phase 2 includes new stations at: Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont, and Montclair.
Questions? Call (626) 471-9050 or learn more at www.foothillgoldline.org.
