Foothill Extension

Future light rail line extension

Foothill Extension Project

Foothill Freeway overpass east of Sierra Madre Villa station

Overview
Status| First phase complete, second phase under construction
Locale| Los Angeles, Pasadena, Azusa, Pomona
Termini|

* Sierra Madre Villa
* APU/Citrus College (Phase 2A)
Pomona–North (Phase 2B)
Montclair Transcenter

Stations| 12
Service
Type| Light rail
System| Los Angeles Metro Rail
Operator(s)|  Metro (LACMTA)
History
Opened| March 5, 2016; 7 years ago (2016-03-05) (Phase 2A)
Summer 2025; 1 year's time (2025) (Phase 2B to Pomona–North)[1]
2028; 4 years' time (2028) (to Montclair Transcenter)
Technical
Line length| 20.6 mi (33.2 km) (overall)
11.3 mi (18.2 km) (Phase 2A only)
Track gauge| 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Electrification| Overhead line, 750 V DC

Route map

Phase 2A highlighted in red, 2B in green, unfunded segment in blue Show interactive map

Legend

|  |  |

|  |

| ■ San Bernardino Line

to San Bernardino–Downtown

|  |

|  | Montclair Transcenter |

|  |

|  | Claremont |

|  |

|  |

|  Unfunded stations (2028)

Phase 2B (2025)

|  |

|  | Pomona–North |

|  |

|  |

| ■ San Bernardino Line

to L.A. Union Station

|  |

|  | La Verne
|  |

|  | San Dimas
|  |

|  |

SR 57

|  |

|  |

SR 210

|  |

|  | Glendora
|  |

|  |

|  Phase 2B (2025)

Phase 2A (2016)

|  |

|  | APU/Citrus College
|  |

|  | Azusa Downtown
|  |

|  |

I-210

|  |

|  | Irwindale
|  |

|  |

I-605

|  |

|  | Duarte/City of Hope
|  |

|  | Monrovia
|  |

|  | Arcadia
|  |

|  |

I-210

|  |

|  | Sierra Madre Villa
|  |

|  |  | A Line

to Long Beach

* * *

All stations are accessible
All stations have parking
|  |  |  |  |  |

This diagram:

* view
* talk
* edit

Show diagram map

The Foothill Extension Project, formerly known as the Gold Line Foothill Extension Project, is an extension of the Los Angeles Metro Rail A Line light rail line from the former Gold Line terminus in Pasadena, California, at Sierra Madre Villa station, east through the "Foothill Cities" of Los Angeles County. The plan's first stage, Phase 2A, extended the then-Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa; it opened on March 5, 2016. Phase 2B, which will extend the now A Line a further four stations to Pomona–North station, broke ground in December 2017.[2] A further two–station extension to Montclair Transcenter is planned for completion in 2028, but is currently unfunded.[3]

The corridor extension forms a part of the Los Angeles Metro Rail system. It is being planned and implemented by Foothill Gold Line.[4][3] In addition to enhancing mobility in one of the most congested metropolitan areas in the United States, the 23.9-mile project (38.5 km) is seen as an economic catalyst for the region, generating 6,900 jobs during the construction phase and creating infill and transit-oriented development opportunities.[5]

With the Regional Connector having opened on June 16, 2023,[6] the north (Pasadena–Azusa–Pomona) branch of the then-L/Gold Line was absorbed into the A Line with blue coloring, and provides service from Long Beach via Downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena to Azusa.[7][8][9]

The project is being managed by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority.[10] The agency is a joint powers authority governed by appointees from Metro, SBCTA, the state of California, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, and the cities of Pasadena, South Pasadena, and Los Angeles.

## Route[edit]

Map of the former L Line, with the Foothill Extension along the top. Note that Citrus Avenue station was eventually opened as part of Phase 2A as APU/Citrus College station.

The entire 23.9-mile (38.5 km) route (Phase 2A and 2B) of the Foothill Extension follows the roadbed of the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway's Second Division through the Foothill Cities. These cities are in the foothills south of the San Gabriel Mountains, in the northern San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Beginning at the former L Line terminus at Sierra Madre Villa station in East Pasadena, the route extends roughly east, ending in Montclair. The route parallels several major roads and highways, including I-210 (Foothill Freeway), Huntington Drive, and Foothill Boulevard.[11]

## Planning and Phase 2A[edit]

The Foothill Extension was initially conceived as Phase 2 of the Gold Line. The route between Los Angeles and Pasadena is considered "Phase 1"; calling the Foothill Extension Phase 2 turned out to be a misnumbering, as the Gold Line Eastside Extension was completed in 2009 between the two phases.[citation needed] The Gold Line Construction Authority (now Foothill Gold Line), which took over the Phase 1 project from Metro in 1999, is also coordinating the Phase 2 projects.

The initial draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for the Foothill Extension was completed in April 2006 and covered the entire corridor between Sierra Madre Villa station in Pasadena and Montclair. The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) study assessed two different construction options: an LRT Full Build alternative, which would complete the full extension to Montclair, and an LRT Build To Azusa alternative, which would extend only to Azusa; this was dubbed Phase 2A. On February 28, 2007, the Construction Authority Board certified the Final EIR and decided to complete the "LRT Build to Azusa" alternative.[12]

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. A groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2A was held on June 26, 2010;[13] construction began the following summer and was completed in September 2015, with the extension entering service on March 5, 2016. The original project budget for Phase 2A was $690 million, including not only construction but also the purchase of vehicles, financing, administrative costs, mitigation, and other costs;[14] in March 2011, the Construction Authority requested a $45 million increase in total budget, to $735 million, to reflect updated cost estimates.[15]

## Phase 2B to Montclair[edit]

Phase 2B is the project to extend the A Line from the Phase 2A terminus in Azusa east to Montclair. The Final EIR was certified by the Authority Board in March 2013.[16]

### Proposed station listing[edit]

Montclair Transcenter – proposed terminus of the line

Phase 2B is 12.6 miles (20.3 km) long and will take approximately 17.9 minutes to traverse.[11] The alignment will have six new Metro stations: Glendora; San Dimas; La Verne; and Pomona–North Metrolink station with a connection to the Metrolink San Bernardino Line; Claremont Metrolink station with a connection to the Metrolink San Bernardino Line; and Montclair Transcenter with a connection to the Metrolink San Bernardino Line and the Foothill Transit Silver Streak.

Foothill Gold Line expects 17,800 riders by 2035.[17]

### Status[edit]

Planning for the Foothill Extension Phase 2B (Azusa to Montclair) began in 2003, and significant work has been completed for the segment. The Final EIR for the project was certified by the Construction Authority board in March 2013, and advanced conceptual engineering began in 2014. On June 23, 2017, LA Metro's board of directors approved a $1.4 billion budget Thursday to extend the A Line (then the Gold Line) from APU/Citrus College station to Claremont, 11.5 miles (18.5 km) to the east.[18] It is expected to cost an additional $70 million to extend the A Line from Claremont to Montclair, across county lines.[19]

Phase 2B of the Foothill Extension is composed of Project 1 and Project 2.[20] Project 1 is the relocation of freight railroad tracks, which is complete. Project 2 is the construction of the light rail line itself the A Line utilizes, which started construction in 2022.[20](more information below)

On December 2, 2017, officials broke ground for Phase 2B in a ceremony at Citrus College. The cost of the project is estimated at $1.5 billion.[2] Completion of Phase 2B (including Montclair Transcenter) is expected by early 2026.[20]

On July 10, 2020, major construction began on Phase 2B, building four stations from Azusa to Pomona, with service estimated to start in December 2024.[1] Full construction to Claremont and Montclair by 2028 depends on additional funding to be secured by October 2021.[21]

On September 10, 2021, funding was past due for constructing the route further east of Pomona, pushing the opening date to Montclair back or outright canceling the 3.3-mile segment altogether.[22]

### Construction[edit]

The first part of the construction, starting in August, focused on reconstructing the 28 at-grade crossings and relocating utilities. Gladstone Street in San Dimas was the first one to begin. Nearly all reconstructions commenced and finished in late 2022. As of June 2023[update], the At-Grade Crossing reconstruction is complete.[23]

The freight/light rail bridges over channels and washes began in 2021, relocating and building new bridges to facilitate the freight and the A Line (then known as the L Line). These bridges were the first to finish as they didn't impact vehicular traffic. The Light rail bridges, crossing major streets, began briefly. As required by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the light rail crossing at Foothill Blvd, Route 66, Lone Hill Blvd, and Bonita/Cataract Ave needs to be grade-separated (light rail only) with a flyover bridge. Those bridges feature the neighborhood's citrus design and will include local artwork. All of them are substantially complete.[24]

The more complex component was the freight track relocation. The freight existed in the middle of the ROW, leaving no room for the light rail extension. To create space, the construction authority relocated it to the north side (south side west of Lone Hill Blvd.) of the alignment. It is complete as of October 2022.[25]

The light rail system was the last to begin (in 2022). Since the freight relocation was completed, the light rail systems are under installation throughout the alignment. On June 24, 2023, an event held in La Verne culminated in the installation of the 230,630th rail clip (rail clips permanently attach the steel rail to the concrete railroad ties), officially completing major construction for the new light rail tracks from Glendora to Pomona.[26]

With most work complete, crews are currently focusing on system work, such as installing the overhead line and train control systems. The four stations on the extension are also nearing completion. Crews are installing the station canopies, fencing, power systems, and station artwork. Station construction is 49% complete.[24]

As of June 2023[update], the extension is 71% complete and on budget,[24] and is expected to open for revenue service in December 2024.[1]

## Proposed phase to Ontario Airport[edit]

California State Legislator Chris Holden (D - Pasadena), who represents California's 41st State Assembly district, proposed a measure in January 2020 that would extend the final phase from Montclair to Ontario International Airport. The planned terminus in Montclair is six miles (9.7 km) from the airport. Measure AB 2011 would form the project's San Bernardino County Rail Construction authority.[27]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c @numble (November 27, 2023). "October 2023 status report for LA Metro's Foothill Gold Line Extension. 79.4% as of 10/31/23, +~1.4% since 9/30/23. Forecast completion on 12/14/24" (Tweet). Retrieved November 28, 2023 - via Twitter.
2. ^ a b "Extension of Gold Line rail system to San Bernardino County breaks ground". Los Angeles Times. December 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
3. ^ a b "Gold Line Foothill Extension". Metro (LACMTA). Retrieved November 22, 2014.
4. ^ "Foothill Gold Line (official project website)". Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
5. ^ "Economic Impact Study: Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2A" (PDF). Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. January 11, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
6. ^ Von Quednow, Cindy (June 16, 2023). "Metro Regional Connector opens in Los Angeles, bringing more direct access to downtown". KTLA. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
7. ^ "Prepare for Our "Gold Line" to Be The "Blue Line"". ColoradoBoulevard.net. September 25, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
8. ^ "Regional Connector Transit Corridor". US Department of Transportation. January 20, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
9. ^ "The Metro Blue Line will soon be called the 'A Line' • Long Beach Post". lbpost.com. December 8, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
10. ^ FoothillGoldLine.org
11. ^ a b "Gold Line Phase II Final Environment Impact Report: Chapter 2 - Alternatives" (PDF). Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority. February 2007. pp. 2–100. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
12. ^ "Board resolution to certify FEIR" (PDF). Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority. February 28, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2010.[permanent dead link]
13. ^ "Metro Gold Line Breaks Ground". KABC-TV. June 26, 2010. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
14. ^ "Project Overview and Status, presentation to the Design-Build Institute of America" (PDF). March 10, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2010.[permanent dead link]
15. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2011.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
16. ^ "Azusa to Montclair Final EIR". Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
17. ^ Neal Broverman (August 21, 2012). "Plans Released for Gold Line Train to San Bernardino County". Curbed Los Angeles. Vox Media Inc. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
18. ^ "Metro Gold Line Extension to Claremont Montclair". Curbed L.A. June 23, 2017.
19. ^ "Foothill Gold Line". www.foothillgoldline.org. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
20. ^ a b c "Glendora to Montclair Work Plan" (PDF). Foothill Gold Line. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
21. ^ "Major Construction Begins on Foothill Gold Line Extension Project". NBC Los Angeles. July 10, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
22. ^ "Hopes Dashed for Light Rail Line Extension From Pomona to Montclair". Daily Bulletin. September 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
23. ^ "Foothill Gold Line E-News Update – 2022 Year-End Review; What to Expect in 2023". Foothill Gold Line. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
24. ^ a b c "Project Progress - Q2 2023". YouTube. Foothill Gold Line. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
25. ^ "Foothill Gold Line E-News Update – October 2022 Project and Community Updates". Foothill Gold Line. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
26. ^ "Video, Photo & Media Recap: Completion of Major Work on New Light Rail Track System from Glendora to Pomona". I Will Ride Blog. June 27, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
27. ^ "Lawmaker pushes LA Metro Gold Line extension to Ontario Airport". January 29, 2020.

## External links[edit]

KML file (edit • help)

Template:Attached KML/Foothill Extension

KML is not from Wikidata

* Foothill Gold Line – the construction authority overseeing this project.
* Foothill Extension – the official Metro project page.
* Los Angeles Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension: A Photo Essay

* v
* t
* e

Los Angeles Metro Rail and Busway stations

A Line|

* Pomona–North
* La Verne
* San Dimas
* Glendora
* APU/Citrus College
* Azusa Downtown
* Irwindale
* Duarte/City of Hope
* Monrovia
* Arcadia
* Sierra Madre Villa
* Allen
* Lake
* Memorial Park
* Del Mar
* Fillmore
* South Pasadena
* Highland Park
* Southwest Museum
* Heritage Square
* Lincoln/Cypress
* Chinatown
* Union Station
* Little Tokyo/Arts District
* Historic Broadway
* Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill
* 7th Street/Metro Center
* Pico
* Grand/LATTC
* San Pedro Street
* Washington
* Vernon
* Slauson
* Florence
* Firestone
* 103rd Street/Watts Towers
* Willowbrook/Rosa Parks
* Compton
* Artesia
* Del Amo
* Wardlow
* Willow Street
* Pacific Coast Highway
* Anaheim Street
* 5th Street
* 1st Street
* Downtown Long Beach
* Pacific Avenue

B Line|

* North Hollywood
* Universal City/Studio City
* Hollywood/Highland
* Hollywood/Vine
* Hollywood/Western
* Vermont/Sunset
* Vermont/Santa Monica
* Vermont/Beverly
* Wilshire/Vermont
* Westlake/​MacArthur Park
* 7th Street/Metro Center
* Pershing Square
* Civic Center/Grand Park
* Union Station

C Line|

* LAX/Metro Transit Center
* Aviation/Century
* Redondo Beach
* Douglas
* El Segundo
* Mariposa
* Aviation/LAX
* Hawthorne/Lennox
* Crenshaw
* Vermont/Athens
* Harbor Freeway
* Avalon
* Willowbrook/Rosa Parks
* Long Beach Boulevard
* Lakewood Boulevard
* Norwalk

D Line|

* Westwood/VA Hospital
* Westwood/UCLA
* Century City/Constellation
* Wilshire/Rodeo
* Wilshire/La Cienega
* Wilshire/Fairfax
* Wilshire/La Brea
* Wilshire/Western
* Wilshire/Normandie
* Wilshire/Vermont
* Westlake/​MacArthur Park
* 7th Street/Metro Center
* Pershing Square
* Civic Center/Grand Park
* Union Station

E Line|

* Downtown Santa Monica
* 17th Street/SMC
* 26th Street/Bergamot
* Expo/Bundy
* Expo/Sepulveda
* Westwood/Rancho Park
* Palms
* Culver City
* La Cienega/Jefferson
* Expo/La Brea
* Farmdale
* Expo/Crenshaw
* Expo/Western
* Expo/Vermont
* Expo Park/USC
* Jefferson/USC
* LATTC/Ortho Institute
* Pico
* 7th Street/Metro Center
* Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill
* Historic Broadway
* Little Tokyo/Arts District
* Pico/Aliso
* Mariachi Plaza
* Soto
* Indiana
* Maravilla
* East LA Civic Center
* Atlantic

G Line|

* Chatsworth
* Nordhoff
* Roscoe
* Sherman Way
* Canoga
* De Soto
* Pierce College
* Tampa
* Reseda
* Balboa
* Woodley
* Sepulveda
* Van Nuys
* Woodman
* Valley College
* Laurel Canyon/Valley Village
* North Hollywood

J Line|

* El Monte
* Cal State LA
* Los Angeles General Medical Center
* Union Station
* 37th Street/USC
* Slauson
* Manchester
* Harbor Freeway
* Rosecrans
* Harbor Gateway
* Carson
* Pacific Coast Highway

K Line|

* Expo/Crenshaw
* Martin Luther King Jr.
* Leimert Park
* Hyde Park
* Fairview Heights
* Downtown Inglewood
* Westchester/Veterans
* LAX/Metro Transit Center
* Aviation/Century
* Mariposa
* El Segundo
* Douglas
* Redondo Beach

* List of Metro Rail stations
* List of Metro Busway stations

Italics denote future stations.

* v
* t
* e

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)

Services|

| Metro Rail|

| Light rail|

* A Line
* C Line
* E Line
* K Line

|

Rapid transit|

* B Line
* D Line

Metro Busway|

* G Line
* J Line

Metro Bus|

* Metro Bus
* Metro Rapid

Other|

* Metro Bike Share
* Metro ExpressLanes

Stations|

* Union Station
* Patsaouras Transit Plaza, Metro Headquarters Building
* El Monte Station
* Harbor Gateway Transit Center
* List of Metro Rail stations
* List of Metro Busway stations

Bus lanes|

* El Monte Busway
* Harbor Transitway

Capital projects|

| Under construction|

* LAX/Metro Transit Center station
* D Line Extension
* Foothill Extension
* Rail to Rail

|

Planned|

* Twenty-eight by '28
* Arts District/6th Street station
* K Line Northern Extension
* East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project
* Eastside Transit Corridor
* C Line Extension
* Lincoln Boulevard Transit Corridor
* North Hollywood to Pasadena Transit Corridor
* Sepulveda Transit Corridor
* Vermont Transit Corridor
* Southeast Gateway Line

Fleet|

* Bus fleet
* Rail fleet

Other information|

* History of the LACMTA
* History of Los Angeles Metro Rail and Busway (Former routes:  L Line)
* Transit Access Pass (TAP)
* Transportation in Los Angeles
* LAX FlyAway
* LAX Automated People Mover
* Metrolink commuter rail
* Expo Bike Path
* G Line Bikeway

* v
* t
* e

Mass transit in the Inland Empire

Rail|

* Metrolink
* 91/Perris Valley Line
* Inland Empire–Orange County Line
* Riverside Line
* San Bernardino Line
* Arrow
* Amtrak
* Southwest Chief
* Sunset Limited
* Texas Eagle

Bus|

| San Bernardino County|

* Omnitrans
* sbX
* Basin Transit
* Mountain Transit
* Needles Area Transit
* Victor Valley Transit Authority

|

Riverside County|

* Beaumont Transit
* Riverside Transit Agency
* SunLine Transit Agency
* Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency

List of Southern California transit agencies
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template