 Graphic: Rendering of Future Claremont A Line Station
At their January meeting, the Construction Authority board of directors voted unanimously to award the design and engineering services contract for the Pomona to Claremont project to the engineering firm of Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. (Parsons). This major milestone followed a competitive procurement process that began in June 2025 and saw bids from multiple teams.
The six-year, $60 million design and engineering services contract is the first of two major contracts to be awarded as part of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method that was adopted by the Construction Authority for the project last year. The contract will include designing all elements of the 2.3-mile light rail extension from its current design level of approximately 30% to “Approved for Construction” drawings, as well as supporting the project with any needed design services during construction.
Parsons was determined to be the top proposer of the competing teams following a two-step evaluation process. Parsons scored highest (94 points out of 100) on the evaluation criteria related to the company’s competence and qualifications, as presented in their written proposal, which took into consideration team qualifications such as relevant experience, financial stability, staffing and team organization, and project plan and approach. They also received the highest score during the interview stage (47 points out of 50).
The procurement process to hire the contractor (through a construction manager contract) – the second of the two contracts needed to deliver the project by CMAR - is currently underway, with the Construction Authority board this month also approving release of the Request for Proposals (RFP), following a successful industry review period of the draft RFP that was completed late last year.
The construction manager contract is expected to be awarded this coming May and will include an initial phase of work during project design that includes providing constructability reviews, value engineering, third party coordination and cost estimating; with the possibility of building the project if the team successfully negotiates a construction services contract with an acceptable price once the project reaches 85%-90% design. Assuming a successful bid for the construction work, it is expected that major construction would begin in late-2027/early-2028 and is take approximately four years to complete.
 Photo (February 13, 2025): Board Members (left to right) - Montclair Mayor John Dutrey, South Pasadena representative Dan Evans, Caltrans District 7 Deputy Director of Planning Marlon Regisford, La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn, Glendora Council Member Mendell Thompson (Vice Chair), Claremont Vice Mayor Ed Reece (Chair), Pomona Mayor and Metro Board Member Tim Sandoval, Pasadena Council Member Gene Masuda
At their January meeting, Claremont Vice Mayor Ed Reece and Glendora Council Member Mendell Thompson were re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair (respectively) of the Construction Authority Board of Directors, following a unanimous vote by their peers. The re-election of Chair Reece and Vice Chair Thompson comes during an important time at the Construction Authority, as the agency advances the 2.3-mile Pomona to Claremont project this year.
“This is a critical time for the Construction Authority, as we begin the final design work and prepare to hire the contractor for the next project segment that will bring light rail service and all of its benefits to the city of Claremont,” stated Chair Reece. “With 23 of the 25 planned Foothill Gold Line stations from Los Angeles to Montclair now complete, we look forward to continuing to guide the agency to its final destinations in Claremont and Montclair in the years ahead.”
Chair Reece and Vice Chair Thompson have both been on the Construction Authority board for five years, as well as having served on the project's Joint Powers Authority board for several years before that. During their tenure on the two boards, the four-station Glendora to Pomona project was completed on time and on budget and the agency received a funding commitment of $798 million (SB125 funds) from LA Metro to complete the Claremont Extension - the final station in Los Angeles County.
“I, along with Vice Chair Thompson, want to thank our colleagues on the board for continuing to believe, not just in our leadership, but in the vision of creating truly regional transit that expands mobility, quality of life and environmental benefits to the millions of people living in - and traveling through - this corridor every day,” added Chair Reece. “I look forward to continuing my efforts to ensure the Foothill Gold Line continues to be a true success story as we realize its full potential for our region.”
The Foothill Gold Line board is made up of elected and appointed representatives from throughout the project corridor. In addition to the Chair and Vice Chair, the board currently includes Pomona Mayor and Metro Board Member Tim Sandoval, La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn, Montclair Mayor John Dutrey, Pasadena Council Member Gene Masuda, and South Pasadena representative Dan Evans.
Thank you for your interest in the Foothill Gold Line.
Lisa Levy Buch, Chief Communications and Strategic Development Officer and the Public Affairs Team
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