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SAVE THE DATE: On June 24, 2023, the Construction Authority will be hosting a Track Completion Ceremony to recognize completion of the light rail track installation. More details to be released soon; for now save the date.
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With the recent completion of the reconstruction activities requiring long-term street closures at the project’s 21 at-grade street crossings, as well as the previous completion of the major bridgework and freight track relocation, KPJV crews are now focused on constructing the light rail system from Glendora to Pomona. Construction of the various elements that make up the light rail system - stations, track, and power and train control systems - now constitute the majority of the ongoing activities throughout the 9.1-mile corridor.
As you can read in more detail below, crews this month installed the final traction power substation, started installing the overhead catenary wires and also started installing the platform canopies at the Glendora station.
The project is currently more than two-thirds complete, and remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in early-January 2025.
Four New Stations
Crews are about halfway complete with construction for the four new light rail stations underway in the cities of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona. All four stations will be center platform stations, with a track on each side - one for westbound trains, and one for eastbound trains.
Glendora Station
 Photo: Crews installing the canopy for the future Glendora station
With the new light rail tracks installed and platform deck completed for the future Glendora station, crews are now underway with the installation of the canopies. As seen in the photo above, crews have installed the canopy columns for the main platform and ticket vending machine areas, and have begun installing the first set of canopies. The canopies are being fabricated at an off-site location in Pomona.
San Dimas Station
   Photos: Crews constructing walkway entrance for future San Dimas station
At the future San Dimas station, crews have completed most of the platform deck, installed the light rail tracks and placed the sound wall panels along the south side of the station area. Currently, as seen in the photos above, crews are constructing a walkway entrance from San Dimas Ave. that will allow future riders access to the station.
La Verne Station
 Photo: Future La Verne station
At the future La Verne station, crews have completed most of the platform deck, installed the light rail tracks, installed the overhead catenary system (OCS) poles and will soon install the overhead wires onto those poles, which will provide power for the light rail trains (more on the overhead wires below).
Pomona Station
  Photos: Crews constructing platform deck (top) and entrance ramps (bottom) for future Pomona station
While work on the Pomona station began later than the other three stations, crews have made tremendous progress. Crews recently carried out a series of concrete pours for the platform deck and continue to construct the entrance ramps.
To learn more about the plans for the future stations, see these fact sheets: Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona.
Light Rail Track, Power and Train Control Systems Underway
The track, power and train control systems make up the light rail system and are being constructed by separate, specialized crews that coordinate extensively with one another.
  Photos: Crews installing new light rail tracks in Glendora
With more than two-thirds of the new light rail tracks installed, there are now only a few stretches along the 9.1-mile corridor where the light rail track installation has yet to be completed. As seen in the photos above, the track crews continue to be busy placing new ballast, concrete ties and rail throughout the corridor, and are on schedule to complete the remaining work in time for the final e-clip to be installed at the Track Completion Ceremony on June 24.
 Photo: Crews installing OCS poles in San Dimas
In the areas where the light rail tracks are mostly completed, crews continue to install the poles for the overhead catenary system (OCS) onto foundations built about every 200 feet along the corridor, as seen in the photo above. Each pole weighs about 1,200 pounds.
  Photos: Crews installing overhead wires across the OCS poles in La Verne
With the OCS poles now installed through stretches of San Dimas and La Verne, crews recently began installing the overhead wires from pole to pole, as seen in the photos above. The overhead wires provide power to the light rail train when the train’s pantograph comes into contact with the wire (light rail trains run on electricity).
 Photo: Crews installing the eighth and final traction power substation for the Glendora to Pomona project
The power that gets delivered through the OCS wires will come from the eight traction power substations (TPSS) that are now installed about every mile along the corridor. As seen in the photo above, crews recently installed the eighth and final TPSS just west of Garey Ave. in Pomona. Each TPSS converts AC power from the local utility into DC power that then travels through the overhead wires to power the light rail system.
 Photo: Installation of underground cables for the light rail train control system
Throughout the corridor, crews also continue to install miles of underground conduit and cables that carry communications and power for the light rail system, as seen in the photo above. These cables run throughout the train control system, which allow the light rail trains, crossing equipment and signals to communicate.
Connecting Bridges to Light Rail System
As mentioned earlier, all 19 bridges from Glendora to Pomona are now completed. At the four major new light rail bridges that will carry trains over major streets and intersections in Glendora and San Dimas, crews have begun installing the new light rail tracks, while continuing to work on the approaches to the west and east of each bridge. Below are updates on the four major light rail bridges (from west to east):
Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. Light Rail Bridge
  Photos: Crews pouring concrete for the new light rail tracks on the Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. light rail bridge
As seen in the photos above, crews recently completed back-to-back, nighttime concrete pours for the light rail track installation on the Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. light rail bridge in Glendora. While the light rail tracks within the main rail corridor are installed on top of layers of sub-ballast, ballast and concrete ties, the tracks over the major bridges are fixed directly onto the bridge deck without those layers - a method called “direct fixation." Direct fixation reduces the weight on the bridge and improves long-term maintenance.
Additionally, as seen in the photos below, crews are currently constructing foundations for the future sound walls atop the west approach (top photo); while at the east approach, crews are nearing completion on the retaining walls (bottom photo).
  Photos: Crews constructing sound wall foundations on the west approach (top) and retaining walls for the east approach (bottom) for the Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. light rail bridge
Route 66 Light Rail Bridge
 Photo: Route 66 light rail bridge in Glendora
Of the four major light rail bridges, progress has been furthest along on the Route 66 bridge in Glendora. Crews have completed the bridge and both approaches, and have already installed the light rail tracks on the bridge and west approach (as seen in the photos above and below).
  Photos: Crews installing light rail tracks on the west approach (top) and east approach (bottom) for the Route 66 light rail bridge
At the east approach, crews are currently laying concrete ties on top of the ballast ahead of installing the rail for the light rail tracks, as seen in the photo above.
Lone Hill Ave. Light Rail Bridge
 Photo: Lone Hill Ave. light rail bridge in Glendora
Measuring nearly 350 feet in length, the Lone Hill Ave. light rail bridge is the largest of the 19 bridges that were built from Glendora to Pomona, and was the last one to be completed. As seen in the photo above, the recently completed flyover bridge (which will allow freight trains to change positions within the shared corridor while crossing underneath) is now fully visible, revealing custom design patterns on the bridge abutments, columns and super-structure.
 Photo: Crews constructing approach slab on the east end of the Lone Hill Ave. light rail bridge
With the bridge completed, crews will soon begin installing the light rail tracks on top of the bridge. Ahead of that work, crews are currently constructing approach slabs on both ends of the bridge, as seen in the photo above. The approach slabs serve as a smooth transition for the future light rail tracks between the approach and abutment.
Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. Light Rail Bridge
 Photo: Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. light rail bridge in San Dimas
As seen in the photo above, crews have completed the installation of the light rail tracks on top of the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. light rail bridge in San Dimas. To the west of the bridge, crews have completed the construction of the retaining walls for the west approach, and have now begun installing the light rail tracks on top of the approach as well. As seen in the photo below, crews have placed layers of sub-ballast and ballast on the approach, and are installing the concrete ties before laying the rail.
 Photo: Light rail track installation underway on the west approach for the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. light rail bridge
To the east, crews are nearing completion on the construction of the retaining walls for the east approach, as seen in the photo below, and will soon begin the light rail track work on top of the approach as well.
 Photo: Crews constructing retaining walls for the east approach of the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. light rail bridge
Ongoing Closures, Restrictions at Crossings in Glendora and San Dimas
While the most impactful reconstruction activities are now completed at all of the project’s 21 at-grade crossings, crews will return to each crossing throughout this year to complete remaining work. Ongoing currently, crews are working at the Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. intersection, on Route 66 between Compromise Line Rd. and Hunters Trail in Glendora; and at the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection in San Dimas. More details below.
 Photo: Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. intersection in Glendora
At the Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. intersection, crews continue to work at the intersection to complete the sidewalks, medians and landscaping. These activities require intermittent lane closures through June 2023. For more information, click here for the notice.
 Photo: Crews utilizing lane closure at Route 66 in Glendora to complete work on the underground conduit for the street lighting
Along Route 66 between Compromise Line Rd. and Hunters Trail, crews continue to implement intermittent lane closures through December 2023 to complete work on the underground conduit (see photo above), roadway, medians and curbs and gutters. For more information, click here for the notice.
 Photo: Crews completing final road paving at the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection in San Dimas
As seen in the photo above, crews earlier this month utilized full directional closures of the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection to complete the final road paving and striping.
 Photo: Crews working on traffic signals at Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection in San Dimas
Due to weather and issues related to delivery and installation of the traffic signals, the street will continue to stay in the temporary lane configuration with restricted movements into May. More information will be available soon with the final work schedule to complete the signals and reopen all movements at the intersection. To see the latest notice, click here.
The Construction Authority appreciates the patience and understanding of residents and businesses around these crossings.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Foothill Gold Line. We appreciate your patience as we build this important regional project.
Lisa Levy Buch, Chief Communications and Strategic Development Officer and the Public Affairs Team
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