The Arcadia City Council paved the way for the design and construction of the Arcadia Station for the Metro Gold Line to begin while also approving improvements to the Colorado Boulevard Railroad Bridge last week.

The council authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority and will appropriate funding from the Santa Anita Grade Separation Fund.

The light rail project has hit some snags in Monrovia over agreement disputes, but Jason Kruckeberg, assistant city manager and development services director, believes things will continue to run smoothly in Arcadia.

“We remain confident it will go forward as planned,” Kruckeberg stated at last week’s council meeting.

To read our most recent coverage of the battle between the GLCA and Monrovia, click here.

A presentation from Phil Wray, the deputy director of development services, explained the details of the plan for Railroad Bridge improvements which include new benches and hand rail frieze panels with a race track horse theme.

The plan also includes aesthetic choices for the station, such as colors, landscaping and possible placement of the city logo and a widening of the bridge, including new sidewalk construction below. The bridge has been a safety concern of residents over the years as it was constructed in the early part of the 1900s. The total cost to the city for the improvements is estimated to be $265,948.

The vote passed 4-0 with Mayor Pro-Tem Robert Harbicht absent.

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