By james art Metro’s board of directors approved $798 million in funding Thursday for the final leg of the Foothill Gold Line, a 3.2-mile stretch connecting Pomona to Montclair.
The board voted unanimously to support the funding agreement, which now goes to the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority for approval. A state grant will pay for the agency’s portion of the project, while another $80 million will come from the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.
“Bringing Metro to the residents of the northern San Gabriel Valley has been a priority for Metro for more than two decades,” Metro Board Chair and LA Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement. “Today’s approval allows this vision, which so many in these communities have been waiting for, to become a reality, and I look forward to breaking ground on it next year.”
The money will build on an existing contract between the two agencies, which will also create two stations as part of this final phase.
“The completion of this project is essential to the future of this corridor and to the region,” Building Authority Board Chairman and Clermont City Councilman Ed Rees said in a statement.
“This project will expand mobility with reliable and sustainable transit, reduce emissions and improve the quality of life for all,” he added. “We sincerely appreciate Metro’s commitment to completing this project as a number one priority.”
According to the building authority, staff is currently working on hiring a team to design and build the shovel-ready project. The project is expected to start in 2025.
The final segment of the project will complete the Foothill Gold Line’s 25-station system, which will be built in four construction segments.
Metro officials said the project aims to provide a reliable alternative to driving the Foothill (210) and San Bernardino (10) freeways and offer connections to Metrolink’s San Bernardino line at the Claremont and Montclair stations.
Officials said a future trip from Montclair to Pasadena should take just over 40 minutes, and a trip from Montclair to Los Angeles would be about 75 minutes.
“Next year will be a historic year for the Foothill Gold Line, and I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’re making,” Rees said in a statement.
“In addition to completing construction on the four-station segment of the project from Glendora to Pomona in the first week of 2025; the building authority will also be able to break ground on the final segment – bringing us one big step closer to completing the agency’s legislative mandate.”