Look at the crudely crafted image above. What does it signify? If it hasn’t hit you by now, that’s the speed the project has gained since voters approved Measure R in November 2008. Since then, the Foothill Extension has been picking up lots of momentum (that crude image proves it), and we are now quickly closing in on the groundbreaking. So what’s next?

Well yesterday, the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board issued two bid packages for firms looking to build Phase 2A (Pasadena to Azusa) of the Extension. Please bear with us as we use some technical jargon you may never have heard before.

The Board issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to the six firms who pre-qualified late last year to compete to build the Iconic Freeway Structure over the 210 freeway. The Board also issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for firms looking to compete to build the alignment (track, stations, crossings, utility systems, etc.).

This is very good news and is important, because it keeps the project on track for breaking ground in June. And it gets us closer to creating the nearly 7,000 jobs and $1 billion in economic revenue from the construction of just this phase alone, as was revealed in the LAEDC’s economic impact report published earlier this month.

Duarte Gets Its Billboard Unveiling Party

Tomorrow, at the future site of Duarte’s Foothill Extension station, elected officials, business chambers, City of Hope employees, and various community members from the City of Duarte will congregate to celebrate the unveiling of their station billboard. The event takes place from 10 AM to 11 AM tomorrow, Saturday, at the future Duarte station at 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010. If you’re around the area, stop on by!

If you’re wondering what the hoopla is over the recent station billboard unveilings in Monrovia and Irwindale, look no further than a recent economic study that projects $1 billion in economic boost for the region as a result of the Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2A (Pasadena to Azusa). The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), a non-profit group comprised of today’s top economic minds and tasked with looking out for our county’s financial well-being, announced that construction of Phase 2A would create nearly 7,000 new jobs and contribute nearly $1 billion to our economy in salaries, business revenues, and taxes.

If we stick to the Construction Authority’s current schedule, all of these benefits will be realized in the next three years – not too soon for county residents and businesses suffering through this recession.

Foothill Extension Project Director to Speak at Economic Recovery Forum

(click for event flyer)

If you are free this morning, you can come out to hear Chris Burner, Chief Project Officer at the Construction Authority, talk more about the jobs and economic impact of the project. Today’s Economic Recovery Forum at Woodbury University in Burbank begins at 8:00 AM. The discussion will be moderated by transit figure and current California Transportation Commissioner Larry Zarian, and additional guests will include Paul Audley of FilmLA, Josephine Marquez of the Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board, and Cathy Martin of the California Hospital Association.

If you can’t attend, follow the event with us on Twitter @iwillride.

See you all at the next station billboard unveiling (by the way, it is January 30 in Duarte at 10:00 AM)!

Following November’s project kick-off at the Historic Santa Fe train depot in Monrovia, the City of Irwindale is up next to celebrate the Foothill Extension by moving forward with their own billboard unveiling event tomorrow. Remember, each of the cities along Phase 2A will have their own billboard unveilings – with Azusa getting two. The unveiling of Irwindale’s station billboard will be hosted by the Authority and they will be joined by the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce, the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, the Mayor, Council and other city officials. It takes place on the street across the future Irwindale station site (6370 Irwindale Ave., Irwindale, CA 91706) tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4:00 PM.

Everyone is welcome. If you are in the area, come on by to see history in the making and have a piece of cake!