The following excerpt appeared in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on December 30, 2016. To read the full op-ed, click here.

Gold Line’s 2017 motto: Montclair, ho!: Guest commentary – San Gabriel Valley Tribune

The Gold Line’s Duarte/City of Hope Station at its dedication ceremony in 2015. (Photo by James Carbone)

By Habib F. Balian

December 30, 2016

[Excerpt]:

As the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority begins 2017, there is much to celebrate.

Looking back to 2016, we recognize the achievements of this past year, highlighted by the successful opening of the Foothill Gold Line segment from Pasadena to Azusa in March, which brought ridership on the light rail system to historic highs.

In November alone, nearly 53,000 daily boardings took place on the line each weekday, and boardings reached 30,000 plus on weekend days as well. In September, the Construction Authority completed the Advanced Conceptual Engineering draft documents for the Glendora-to-Montclair segment. These detailed engineering documents will make up a significant part of the procurement package used to hire a construction contractor. And then in November, passage of the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan, Measure M, ensured the segment’s completion, making it a top priority for the county by providing construction funding within the initial years of the newly approved tax.

Looking ahead to next year, the Construction Authority is preparing the 12.3-mile, six-station Glendora-to-Montclair segment for construction.

To read the full op-ed, click here.