   Photos: Construction Authority and Parsons staff hold kick-off meetings to begin design effort for Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension
The Construction Authority is holding kick-off meetings this week with Parsons, as they begin the design effort for the Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension. This follows last month’s award of a six-year, $60 million design and engineering services contract to the engineering firm, following a competitive procurement process that began in June 2025 and saw bids from multiple teams.
Over the next two years, Parsons will design all elements of the 2.3-mile light rail extension from its current design level of approximately 30% to “Approved for Construction” drawings. Once construction is underway, Parsons will also support the project with any needed design services over what is expected to be a four-year construction phase.
The design and engineering services contract is the first of two contracts needed to deliver the Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method. The second contract is for the contractor.
The procurement process to hire the contractor (called the construction manager with this delivery method) reached a major milestone earlier this month with the 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. Once the project reaches 85%-90% design, the winning contractor will have the possibility of building the project if the team successfully negotiates a construction services contract with an acceptable price. Assuming a successful bid for the construction work, it is expected that major construction will begin in late-2027/early-2028 and take about four years to complete.
For more on the contract award, read media coverage in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Los Angeles Business Journal, Claremont Courier, La Nueva Voz, Pasadena Now, Mass Transit Magazine, Railway Track & Structures, Passenger Transport, Metro Magazine and Progressive Railroading.
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While there is limited impactful work expected in 2026, there may be early utility-related construction taking place between Pomona and Claremont. Stay ahead of construction by signing up now to receive construction alerts. Click here to sign up.
The Construction Authority commissioned Kleinhenz Economics, a leading economic research firm, to study the economic impact from the upcoming construction and operations of the Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension. The report, which was released last week, quantifies the economic impact for Los Angeles County from the initial capital investment to build the light rail extension (including jobs created, economic output, labor income and tax revenues at the county, state and federal levels), as well as the ongoing economic benefits to the county once passenger service begins.
Below are some key highlights from the report’s conclusions:
 As highlighted in the report, during the seven-year design and construction phase alone (2026 to 2032), the project will generate more than $1.13 billion in economic output, support more than 4,700 jobs and produce more than $481 million in labor income. Workers will see an average annual income of $101,000. Furthermore, construction activity is estimated to generate more than $154 million in tax revenues, including more than $20 million in revenues for Los Angeles County.
In short, for every $1 million spent during the next seven years of final design and construction, the project will generate $1.6 million in total economic output for the region.
 Once passenger service begins, the ongoing operations will continue to generate return on investment for the county. The report found that for every $1 million spent operating the extension, the project will generate $7.6 million in total economic output for Los Angeles County, driven by effects across the supply chain and from household spending.
Under an 8-minute headway scenario during the first three years of operations (2032 to 2034) alone, the project is estimated to generate nearly $460 million in economic output, support nearly 1,200 annual jobs and produce more than $490 million in labor income. The average annual wage for supported jobs is estimated at $137,000, which, like the average annual wage during construction, is significantly higher than the county’s median earnings. More than $123 million in total tax revenues will be generated in the first three years of operations, with Los Angeles County receiving approximately $22 million of that total. These economic benefits continue in perpetuity once passenger service is underway, and also result in even greater benefits if the line is operated at more frequent headways.
The report by Kleinhenz Economics concludes by noting that the actual economic benefits of the Pomona to Claremont Extension are likely even greater than quantified, as the study does not capture Metro A Line riders spending around the stations, the project serving as a catalyst for transit-oriented development near the rail line, the economic activity generated by residents and businesses at these new developments, and the environmental and public health benefits from reduced traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.
You can read the full report by clicking here.
You can also read media coverage in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, L.A. Business First, Progressive Railroading, Mass Transit Magazine, Metro Magazine and American Rails.
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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