The extension of the Foothill Gold Line light rail has officially broken ground, becoming the first Measure M project since the infrastructure measure passed in November 2016, and will cost an estimated $1.5 billion. The project will extend the Foothill Gold Line from Glendora to Montclair with six stations. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in early December and welcomed city leaders, including Glendora Mayor Gary Boyer, U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff, Grace Napolitano, Judy Chu and Norma Torres, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. The beginning of construction will focus on pre-construction and site prep work, while major construction will take place in 2020. The extension will be complete in 2026. We sat down with Albert Ho of the Construction Authority to talk about how Measure M has impacted the project and why it is significant that this is the first Measure M project to begin construction.

GlobeSt.com: How has Measure M helped to fund this project?

Albert Ho: The project is getting most of its funding from Metro's Measure M, which is a half-cent sales tax measure approved by LA County voters in November 2016. About $100 million of funding is coming from Measure R, which are residual funds from the previous segment from Pasadena to Azusa that was completed under budget. The segment from Claremont to Montclair will be funded by San Bernardino County.