La Verne eyes pedestrian, bicycle bridge from planned light-rail station to Fairplex – Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

The following excerpt appeared in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on August 2, 2021. To read the full article (may require subscription), click here.

NOTE: The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments is leading the design efforts for the bridge mentioned in this article.

La Verne eyes pedestrian, bicycle bridge from planned light-rail station to Fairplex – Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

From left, La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval tour the Gold Line construction for the Glendora-to-Montclair extension at the future La Verne station at E Street and Arrow Highway in La Verne on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Hepburn talked about adding a pedestrian bridge over Arrow Highway, connecting future passengers and bicyclists to the Fairplex, without having to cross six lanes of Arrow Highway or the tracks. The city of La Verne will hold a study session on the pedestrian bridge project on Aug. 16, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

By Steve Scauzillo

August 2, 2021

[excerpt]:

The idea is simple: Give the thousands of people a safe, easy way to reach the Fairplex for the annual fair, concerts or shows by using a pedestrian flyway built above six lanes of Arrow Highway and train tracks. Then, get them back to the L Line La Verne station to catch a train — all without driving or paying for parking.

Last week, the idea, part of La Verne’s plan for its train-oriented downtown since 2013, took a step closer to reality. Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-El Monte, placed $4 million for the pedestrian bridge, part of $27 million in community project funding requests, into an appropriations package.

HR 4502 was approved by a House vote of 219-208, but awaits approval by the U.S. Senate and President Joe Biden.

“This will provide a safe and efficient way for local residents and Metro riders to cross the rail line and access the businesses, jobs, and events located at the Fairplex,” Napolitano wrote in an email.

[…]

La Verne Councilwoman Robin Carder, who sits on the Gold Line board of directors, hopes the Fairplex will chip in for some of the cost. “It will help both the Fairplex and us and it will ease transportation congestion in the area,” she said.

To read the full article (may require subscription), click here.

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