The following excerpt appeared in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on July 26, 2021. To read the full article (may require subscription), click here.

Deadline looms for $540 million in funding for light-rail to Montclair – San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Work is in progress for the Gold Line construction at the future La Verne station in La Verne on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The construction is part of the Gold Line Glendora-to-Montclair extension, but the Claremont and Montclair portions require an extra $540 million to get built. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

By Steve Scauzillo

July 26, 2021

[excerpt]:

“The conversations I’ve had with legislators is that they feel positive. That this project is in line with what the governor says he wants,” Starr said.

The governor could be influenced by local support, Starr said. For example, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments turned over $126 million to build the L Line to Pomona, and not terminate in La Verne. Also, San Bernardino County has been allocated gasoline tax dollars and has about $80 million of the $97 million needed for the one-mile of track from Claremont to Montclair.

Legislators, including Assemblyman Freddie Rodriguez, D-Chino, and Rep. Norma Torres, D- Pomona, support the extension into San Bernardino County. Support from lawmakers in two counties and from numerous cities gives the governor the green light, Starr said.

In addition, Montclair has been approving housing and mixed-use projects near its Montclair Transcenter, the future site of the L Line station and presently a transit hub for the Inland Empire.

The city last fall approved a revamp of Montclair Place to include housing and a separate, mixed-use project of 350 apartments called “The Village of Montclair” built on the concept of walking distance to the light-rail train station.

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