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.
GlobeSt.com: Why is it significant that this is the first Measure M development?
Ho: This is significant because Measure M was approved by over 71% of LA County voters who want alternatives to driving in a car and to improve their quality of life. This project is the first of many rail projects in Measure M to be delivered to the public. As a note, the Construction Authority is only responsible for the Foothill Gold Line. It will also be a boon to the regional economy, and will create 17,000 jobs and generate $2.6 billion in economic output for the region during construction alone.
GlobeSt.com: This project started before Measure M passed. How was it funded prior to the measure and did the passing of Measure M expedite the development?
Ho: The Foothill Gold Line is being built in segments. The first two segments were completed in 2003 and then 2015, respectively. Planning for the Glendora to Montclair project began in 2003, but construction will be funded as described above. The project has not started yet started construction.
GlobeSt.com: What was the community reaction to the groundbreaking of the line?
Ho: Hundreds of community members chose to come out on a Saturday morning to witness the groundbreaking, which speaks to the level of excitement stakeholders in the region have for an alternative to driving on congested freeways. Here's a highlight video of the ceremony, where community members told us where they're looking forward to riding to when the extension opens.
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Kelsi Maree Borland
