 Regional leaders from the San Gabriel Valley celebrating approval of funding agreement for 3.2-mile, two-station Foothill Gold Line light rail project from Pomona to Montclair on Oct. 31, 2024. – From Left to Right: La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn, Arcadia Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Kwan, California State Senator Anthony Portantino, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis (front), California State Assembly Member Chris Holden (back), Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (front), Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval (back), Claremont Council Member Ed Reece (front), Glendale Council Member Ara Najarian (back), Construction Authority CEO Habib F. Balian (front), Montclair Council Member Bill Ruh (back), Glendora Mayor Mendell Thompson, Montclair Mayor John Dutrey, and Chino Hills Council Member Ray Marquez.
Earlier today, at their October meeting, the Metro Board of Directors unanimously approved a $798 million amendment to the funding agreement between Metro and the Construction Authority for the construction of the LA County portion of the 3.2-mile, two-station Pomona to Montclair project segment. The funding for the LA County portion of the project is coming from SB125, a $4 billion funding program for transit capital projects statewide that was approved by the state legislature and governor last summer. Metro is projected to receive $1 billion of SB125 funds over three years. At their July meeting this year, the Metro board reaffirmed their commitment to allocate $798 million of the funds to complete the LA County portion of the final project segment. With today's action by the Metro board, the realization of a 25-station Foothill Gold Line system from Union Station to Montclair is closer than ever.
     Photos: Elected officials speaking at the Metro board meeting - (first) Foothill Gold Line board members: Claremont Council Member Ed Reece (Chair), Glendora Mayor Mendell Thompson (Vice Chair) and La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn; (second) State Senator Anthony Portantino; (third) Assembly Member Chris Holden; and (fourth) Chino Hills Council Member Ray Marquez (SBCTA Board President) and Montclair Mayor John Dutrey
As seen in the photos above, members of the Foothill Gold Line board, along with elected officials from local to state levels, were in attendance to speak in support of and celebrate this historic moment.
  Graphics: Artist renderings of future Claremont (top) and Montclair (bottom) stations
The approval of the funding agreement amendment comes at a critical time, as the procurement process that began in March 2024 to hire the design-builder for the Pomona to Montclair project continues to move forward. The contract award is expected in Spring 2025. Once the contract is awarded, it will take approximately five years to complete the Pomona to Montclair project.
For more information on the future stations, read the latest station fact sheets for Claremont (click here) and Montclair (click here).
As the Pomona to Montclair project advances toward construction, the 9.1-mile, four-station Glendora to Pomona project moves closer to substantial completion - now just a little more than two month away. Crews are busy throughout the corridor completing testing of the new light rail system and completing the four new stations, plaza areas and associated parking facilities. Crews are also completing final remaining work along the corridor; some of which will be completed through the punch list process after substantial completion.
Read on below for more on the progress of the Glendora to Pomona project.
Active Train Testing Underway (Light Rail and Freight)
  Photos: (top) Active train testing with light rail vehicles underway at night in Pomona; (bottom) View of light rail vehicle operator during active train testing
As seen in the photos above, active train testing continues to be underway throughout the 9.1-mile Glendora to Pomona project corridor, with crews running multiple light rail vehicles that operate on their own power to test all elements of the new light rail system, including the tracks, train control, power, communications systems and safety features. This critical phase of the project, called systems integration testing, will continue through the end of the year to ensure that all of the new systems work together as designed. Nearly all of the active train testing is taking place during nighttime hours to allow construction to continue throughout the corridor during daytime hours; however, some intermittent testing is expected to take place during the day (as needed).
  Photos: Freight train testing in Glendora
In addition, as seen in the photos above, crews recently began testing the relocated freight track throughout the corridor. This past Saturday, crews utilized a BNSF freight train during daytime hours to test all elements of the relocated freight system between Glendora and San Dimas, and will continue the same tests this upcoming Saturday, November 2 (also during daytime hours), between San Dimas and Pomona to conclude the freight testing.
Stay Safe, Be Alert
Crews are now running light rail trains up to their maximum speed of 55 MPH and the freight train at high speeds of 40 MPH during active train testing. It is important that residents, commuters and pedestrians be aware and alert and follow all safety rules near the train tracks. Important activities and rules to be aware of:
- Crossing gate arms will drop throughout the work shift when testing is taking place.
- Vehicular and pedestrian traffic through the grade crossings will be stopped when gates are down; and resume as normal once gate arms are raised.
- Never walk on the train tracks.
- Never go around the lowered gates.
- Follow all safety instructions, obey all warning signs and watch for trains from both directions.
For more information on the active train testing of the light rail system and safety precautions, click here for the construction notice. For more information on the freight system testing, click here.
Metro Running Bus Shuttles Between Monrovia and Azusa as Crews Integrate Existing Metro A Line with New Light Rail System
 Photo: Crews testing the new equipment at the Barranca Ave. crossing in Glendora as part of the integration with the existing Metro A Line
While the Glendora to Pomona project will be turned over to Metro in early-January 2025, crews from Metro, the Construction Authority and KPJV have already begun working together to integrate the existing Metro A Line with the new light rail system. As a result of this effort, which began in mid-October, Metro is running bus shuttles on certain weekends to replace rail service at the A Line stations between Monrovia and Azusa to allow crews time to test the integration of all elements of the existing light rail systems with the new one.
For more information on when and where the bus shuttles will replace rail service during the upcoming weekends of testing, click here for Metro’s official notice. For questions, please contact Metro Customer Service at 1-323-466-3876 (1-323-Go Metro) or customerrelations@metro.net.
Four New Stations Nearing Completion
With just over two months remaining of major construction, crews continue to make substantial progress constructing the four new light rail stations. Work is ongoing on and around the station platforms, including for the walkways and plazas, as well as the parking facilities. Working out of their fabrication facilities or out at the stations, each station’s artist/artist team continues to bring their art pieces to reality, with most of their pieces already completed and installed or awaiting installation.
All four stations will be center platform stations, with a track on each side – one for westbound trains, and one for eastbound trains – and each station’s parking facility will feature amenities for riders arriving by bike, walking, bus and drop-off.
Glendora Station
  Photos: (top) Future Glendora station construction underway; (bottom) Crews constructing bike shelter
At the future Glendora station, crews are constructing the bike shelter just north of the platform, as seen in the photos above. The Glendora station’s bike shelter will feature 32 bike racks, with room to expand to 48 racks in the future. Each bike shelter at the future stations will allow riders to store their bikes in a secure, enclosed room – accessible only to registered TAP card users. For more information on Metro’s bike storage program, click here.
 Photo: Crews installing architectural pavers on future Glendora station platform
As seen in the photo above, crews are currently installing the architectural pavers for the ticketing area of the station platform. The color of the architectural pavers is part of the overall color palette of the station platform structures (such as the canopies and roof elements), which reflect the natural colors found in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley. After pavers have been installed, Metro will begin to install the ticket vending machines and patron turnstile gates.
  Photos: Crews constructing walkway from Vermont (top) and Glendora (bottom) Aves to the pedestrian undercrossing at future Glendora station
Just south of the platform, progress also continues on the walkway to the pedestrian undercrossing, which will allow future passengers safe access to the station platform from the east and south by walking under the freight track and eastbound light rail track. As seen in the photos above, crews are currently constructing the walkways from both the west and east station entrances.
 Photo: Future Glendora station parking facility construction underway
Crews also continue to construct the station parking facility that’s south of the station, as seen in the photo above.
San Dimas Station
  Photos: (top) Future San Dimas station construction underway; (bottom) Crews constructing walkway entrance to station platform
At the future San Dimas station, crews are nearing completion on the construction of the walkway entrance from the sidewalk on San Dimas Ave. to the station platform ramp, as seen in the photo above. The walkway will allow future riders to safely walk across the eastbound light rail track to get onto the platform.
 Photo: Crews installing light fixtures at future San Dimas station platform canopy
On the station platform, crews are installing the light fixtures onto the canopies, as seen in the photo above.
 Photo: Future San Dimas station parking facility construction underway
Across the street and west of the future station, crews continue to construct the station parking facility, as seen in the photo above.
La Verne Station
  Photos: (top) Future La Verne station construction underway; (bottom) Crews completing work on power and communications cables on station canopy
At the future La Verne station, crews are completing final work on the power and communications cables that run throughout the platform canopies, as seen in the photo above.
 Photo: Crews constructing retaining wall between future La Verne station platform and plaza area
As seen in the photo above, crews are constructing the retaining wall between the station platform and plaza area, which will allow crews to bring the plaza area ground to the proper elevation.
  Photos: (top) Future La Verne station parking facility construction underway; (bottom) Crews installing light poles throughout surface lot
South of the platform, crews also continue to construct the station parking facility, and continue to install light poles throughout the future surface lot, as seen in the photos above.
   Photos: (top) Crews installing La Verne station art sculptures onto foundations; (middle) Crews completing finish of foundations; (bottom) La Verne station artist Blue McRight overseeing installation of her art pieces
At the station plaza area, crews recently completed the construction of the art piece foundations, which allowed them to then install the three art sculptures (currently covered) designed by La Verne station artist Blue McRight, as seen in the photos above. The three ten-foot-tall sculptures pay homage to La Verne’s history and architecture, as well as the community’s connection to water and agriculture. Following the installation of the artworks, crews created custom formwork for the art sculpture foundations and utilized an artist-selected colored concrete for the final finish, as seen in the photos above.
Pomona Station
  Photos: (top) Future Pomona station construction underway; (bottom) Crews installing message boards and informational screens at station platform
At the future Pomona station, with work on the decorative roof elements atop the station canopies completed, crews are now focused on completing the remaining work at the station platform, plaza area and parking facility. As seen in the photo above, crews are currently installing the message board signs and informational screens on the station platform, which will provide future riders arrival times and more.
 At the west entrance to the station platform, crews are constructing the walkway to the ticket vending machine area and platform ramp, as seen in the photo above.
 Photo: Tree root cells installed at future Pomona station
As part of the landscaping plan for the future Pomona station, crews are currently installing tree root cells throughout the station plaza area, as seen in the photo above. These root cells will allow the future trees (to be planted at a later date) and their roots to grow without causing damage to the pavement and underground utilities.
  Photos: (top) Future Pomona station parking facility construction underway; (bottom) Crews constructing new sidewalks for parking lot
Southeast of the future Pomona station, crews continue to construct the station parking facility. As seen in the photos above, crews are currently constructing the curbs and sidewalks throughout the future surface lot.
 And just south of the future station, crews continue to rebuild the existing parking area for the Pomona North Metrolink station. Crews last month completed the reconstruction of the westernmost section of the parking lot, along with the Fulton Rd. entrance, allowing both to be reopened for use. With that work completed, crews have now fully closed the center and easternmost sections of the parking lot, as well as the entrance via Santa Fe St., to vehicles to complete final work on these areas, as seen in the photo above. Pedestrian access via Santa Fe St. will be maintained. For information on the closure and work, which will continue through the end of the 2024, click here.
Ongoing Crossing Work and Safety Improvements
In the final months of 2024 (and if needed, continuing after substantial completion), crews will continue to work at the grade crossings throughout the project to complete final details. At a few crossings, more significant work is still taking place. Crews will continue to implement intermittent lane closures in Glendora at the Lone Hill Ave. crossing (click here for notice), and in Pomona at the Garey Ave. crossing (click here for notice - available in Spanish) and at Garey Ave./Grevillia Ave. (click here for notice).
Corridor-Wide Fencing Installation Nearing Completion
  Photos: Crews installing fencing at future Glendora station area
Throughout the corridor, crews are nearing completion on the installation of miles of fencing to prevent unauthorized access to the tracks, as well as the installation of pipe railing at grade crossings to guide the public on safe paths across the railroad tracks. Crews have installed nearly all of the fencing along the corridor between the stations, and are now completing the fencing installation at the station areas, as seen in the photos above.
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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