The following excerpts appeared in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on February 23, 2026. To read the full article (may require subscription), click here. To read the full economic report, click here.
A short, 2.3-mile light-rail project from Pomona to Claremont will add $1 billion to LA County economy, report says – San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
File: Light-rail train testing tracks of the A-Line traveling across the bridge over the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Grand Avenue in Glendora. (Image courtesy of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority)
By Steve Scauzillo
February 23, 2026
[excerpts]:
A recently released report on the 2.3-mile A (formerly Gold) Line light-rail extension from Pomona to Claremont estimates a $1.1 billion jolt to the economy of L.A. County during seven years of construction, supporting 4,760 jobs that produce $481 million in labor income.
Local, state and federal government coffers would see a combined $154.2 million in tax revenues, including $20 million going to the county.
Also, during operation of the extended line just looking at a three-year period, the economic boom would continue. Based on trains running every eight minutes, the running line extension would add $460 million to the county’s economy and $124 million in total tax revenues. That increases to $553 million and $149 million, respectively, with five-minute headways.
The eight-minute train cycle would add 1,191 jobs — slightly more if the trains ran five-minute time frames as that requires more workers.
…
“This project is more than just a rail line; it is an economic catalyst for Los Angeles County,” stated Construction Authority board chair and Claremont Vice Mayor Ed Reece in a prepared statement. “Connecting Claremont to the Metro A Line represents a transformational investment that will create thousands of high-paying jobs, generate substantial tax revenues and provide lasting economic benefits for generations to come.”
To read the full article (may require subscription), click here. To read the full economic report, click here.