March 5, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-03-05) (Phase 2A) Summer 2025; 1 year's time (2025) (Phase 2B to Pomona–North)[1] 2028; 4 years' time (2028) (to Montclair Transcenter)
Technical
Line length
20.6 mi (33.2 km) (overall) 11.3 mi (18.2 km) (Phase 2A only)
The Foothill Extension Project, formerly known as the Gold Line Foothill Extension Project, is an extension of the Los Angeles Metro RailA Linelight rail line from the former Gold Line terminus in Pasadena, California, at Sierra Madre Villa station, east through the "Foothill Cities" of Los Angeles County. The plan's first stage, Phase 2A, extended the then-Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa; it opened on March 5, 2016. Phase 2B, which will extend the now A Line a further four stations to Pomona–North station, broke ground in December 2017.[2] A further two–station extension to Montclair Transcenter is planned for completion in 2028, but is currently unfunded.[3]
The corridor extension forms a part of the Los Angeles Metro Rail system. It is being planned and implemented by Foothill Gold Line.[4][3] In addition to enhancing mobility in one of the most congested metropolitan areas in the United States, the 23.9-mile project (38.5 km) is seen as an economic catalyst for the region, generating 6,900 jobs during the construction phase and creating infill and transit-oriented development opportunities.[5]
With the Regional Connector having opened on June 16, 2023,[6] the north (Pasadena–Azusa–Pomona) branch of the then-L/Gold Line was absorbed into the A Line with blue coloring, providing service from Long Beach via Downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena to Azusa.[7][8][9]
Map of the former L Line, with the Foothill Extension along the top. Note that Citrus Avenue station was eventually opened as part of Phase 2A as APU/Citrus College station.
The entire 23.9-mile (38.5 km) route (Phase 2A and 2B) of the Foothill Extension follows the roadbed of the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway's Second Division through the Foothill Cities. These cities are in the foothills south of the San Gabriel Mountains, in the northern San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Beginning at the former L Line terminus at Sierra Madre Villa station in East Pasadena, the route extends roughly east, ending in Montclair. The route parallels several major roads and highways, including I-210 (Foothill Freeway), Huntington Drive, and Foothill Boulevard.[11]
Planning and Phase 2A
The Foothill Extension was initially conceived as Phase 2 of the Gold Line. The route between Los Angeles and Pasadena is considered "Phase 1"; calling the Foothill Extension Phase 2 turned out to be a misnumbering, as the Gold Line Eastside Extension was completed in 2009 between the two phases.[citation needed] The Gold Line Construction Authority (now Foothill Gold Line), which took over the Phase 1 project from Metro in 1999, is also coordinating the Phase 2 projects.
The initial draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for the Foothill Extension was completed in April 2006 and covered the entire corridor between Sierra Madre Villa station in Pasadena and Montclair. The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) study assessed two different construction options: an LRT Full Build alternative, which would complete the full extension to Montclair, and an LRT Build To Azusa alternative, which would extend only to Azusa; this was dubbed Phase 2A. On February 28, 2007, the Construction Authority Board certified the Final EIR and decided to complete the "LRT Build to Azusa" alternative.[12]
In October 2009, the Metro board unanimously voted to include the Foothill Extension in its long-range plan and approved funding for the construction and operation of Phase 2A. A groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2A was held on June 26, 2010;[13] construction began the following summer and was completed in September 2015, with the extension entering service on March 5, 2016. The original project budget for Phase 2A was $690 million, including not only construction but also the purchase of vehicles, financing, administrative costs, mitigation, and other costs;[14] in March 2011, the Construction Authority requested a $45 million increase in total budget, to $735 million, to reflect updated cost estimates.[15]
Phase 2B to Montclair
Phase 2B is the project to extend the A Line from the Phase 2A terminus in Azusa east to Montclair. The Final EIR was certified by the Authority Board in March 2013.[16]
Proposed station listing
Montclair Transcenter – proposed terminus of the line
Foothill Gold Line expects 17,800 riders by 2035.[17]
Status
Planning for the Foothill Extension Phase 2B (Azusa to Montclair) began in 2003, and significant work has been completed for the segment. The Final EIR for the project was certified by the Construction Authority board in March 2013, and advanced conceptual engineering began in 2014. On June 23, 2017, LA Metro's board of directors approved a $1.4 billion budget Thursday to extend the A Line (then the Gold Line) from APU/Citrus College station to Claremont, 11.5 miles (18.5 km) to the east.[18] It is expected to cost an additional $70 million to extend the A Line from Claremont to Montclair, across county lines.[19]
Phase 2B of the Foothill Extension is composed of Project 1 and Project 2.[20] Project 1 is the relocation of freight railroad tracks, which is complete. Project 2 is the construction of the light rail line itself the A Line utilizes, which started construction in 2022.[20](more information below)
On December 2, 2017, officials broke ground for Phase 2B in a ceremony at Citrus College. The cost of the project is estimated at $1.5 billion.[2] Completion of Phase 2B (including Montclair Transcenter) is expected by early 2026.[20]
On July 10, 2020, major construction began on Phase 2B, building four stations from Azusa to Pomona, with service estimated to start in December 2024.[1] Full construction to Claremont and Montclair by 2028 depends on additional funding to be secured by October 2021.[21]
On September 10, 2021, funding was past due for constructing the route further east of Pomona, pushing the opening date to Montclair back or outright canceling the 3.3-mile segment altogether.[22]
Construction
The first part of the construction, starting in August, focused on reconstructing the 28 at-grade crossings and relocating utilities. Gladstone Street in San Dimas was the first one to begin. Nearly all reconstructions commenced and finished in late 2022. As of June 2023[update], the At-Grade Crossing reconstruction is complete.[23]
The freight/light rail bridges over channels and washes began in 2021, relocating and building new bridges to facilitate the freight and the A Line (then known as the L Line). These bridges were the first to finish as they didn't impact vehicular traffic. The light rail bridges, crossing major streets, began briefly. As required by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the light rail crossing at Foothill Blvd, Route 66, Lone Hill Blvd, and Bonita/Cataract Ave needs to be grade-separated (light rail only) with a flyover bridge. Those bridges feature the neighborhood's citrus design and will include local artwork. All of them are substantially complete.[24]
The more complex component was the freight track relocation. The freight originally existed in the middle of the corridor, leaving no room for the light rail extension. To create space, the construction authority relocated it to the north side (south side west of Lone Hill Blvd) of the alignment. It is complete as of October 2022.[25] With the relocation work finished, crews began work on the light rail system by installing the overhead line, train control systems, and the light rail track. On June 24, 2023, an event held in La Verne culminated in the installation of the 230,630th rail clip (rail clips permanently attach the steel rail to the concrete railroad ties), officially completing major construction for the new light rail tracks from Glendora to Pomona.[26]
Currently, crews are focusing on final system work, installing the power systems, constructing the four stations, and integrating artwork throughout the alignment's stations and bridges. Station construction is 65% complete.[27]
As of January 2024[update], the extension is 81% complete,[27] on budget, and is expected to open for revenue service in early 2025.[1]
Proposed phase to Ontario Airport
California State Legislator Chris Holden (D - Pasadena), who represents California's 41st State Assembly district, proposed a measure in January 2020 that would extend the final phase from Montclair to Ontario International Airport. The planned terminus in Montclair is six miles (9.7 km) from the airport. Measure AB 2011 would form the project's San Bernardino County Rail Construction authority.[28]
Foothill Extension Project 
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