The following excerpts appeared in the Southern California News Group papers on August 25, 2023. To read the full article (may require subscription), click here.
New state funds could boost Metro rail projects, including Gold Line to Montclair – San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and Los Angeles Daily News
Crews install overhead wires across poles in Glendora, as part of the Glendora-to-Pomona extension of the A (formerly Gold) Line that’s 75% complete. The wires provide power to the light-rail trains since they run on electricity. The project’s next leg to Claremont, then Montclair, is not funded. A new state funding cycle opened Aug. 18, 2023, adding hope for funding of the final leg into San Bernardino County. (photo courtesy of Metro Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority)
By Steve Scauzillo
August 25, 2023
[excerpts]:
Initial guidelines released Aug. 18 say the state is prepared to dole out $5.1 billion from two key funding pots, $4 billion from the Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) and $1.1 billion from a line item for zero-emission programs.
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If funded, LA Metro and the Metro Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority would make history by building the first light-rail line that crosses into San Bernardino County from L.A. County.
Completion to Montclair would take about 15,000 car trips off the roads each day and would annually reduce the miles traveled by 26.7 million vehicle miles, studies show. Transportation planners say the project would lessen traffic on the 210, 10 and 60 Freeways in Los Angeles County, which are filled morning and afternoon with commuters from the Inland Empire.
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“The shovel-ready Pomona to Montclair final segment fulfills the requirements set out in the draft guidelines and is an important regional project that could be completed in five years utilizing the new state funding; allowing this transformational zero-emission light rail system to quickly connect Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire,” wrote Habib Balian, CEO of the Gold Line Construction Authority in an email.
Balian concluded, “In March, the Metro board unanimously reaffirmed the Foothill Gold Line from Pomona to Montclair as their number one priority for any new state transit capital funding. We are hopeful that Metro will utilize these new funds to complete the Foothill Gold Line.”
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