With two strikes of the ceremonial golden hammer by the track crew foreman and Monrovia resident, Elias Avila, the final e-clip was installed this past Saturday at approximately 11 a.m. Once in place, this final action completed all 28 miles of light rail track needed for the Foothill Gold Line light rail project from Pasadena to Azusa.
Installation of the final e-clip was one of many photo-worthy moments at the Track Completion Ceremony that took place this past Saturday. More than 400 community members, project stakeholders, elected officials and members of the media were in attendance at the event, which was held near the future Azusa Downtown Station in the City of Azusa. All witnessed the historic moment when the track was fully completed, connecting the cities of Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa via this new light rail line.
Local, county, state and federal officials from throughout the corridor cities attended the event. Speaking about the importance of this project milestone were Congress Members Grace Napolitano and Judy Chu; State Senator Norma Torres; State Assembly Member Roger Hernandez; County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; Construction Authority Board Members Doug Tessitor (Glendora Council Member), Sam Pedroza (Claremont Council Member), and John Fasana (Duarte Council Member); Azusa Mayor Joseph Rocha and Council Member Uriel Macias; and Metro Board Member and Glendale City Council Member Ara Najarian. Mayors and Council Members from all of the project’s corridor cities, along with other Construction Authority board members, were present for this memorable occasion.
For a recap of the event, view the photo gallery below or watch the ABC 7 news segment.
Photo Gallery of Event Moments (click photos to enlarge):
Ceremonial golden hammer and final e-clip.
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Azusa Mayor Joseph Rocha, and Foothill Gold Line Board Chairman Doug Tessitor arrived at the Track Completion Ceremony via a hi-rail vehicle.
Congresswoman Judy Chu addresses the crowd at the Track Completion Ceremony.
More than 400 community members, project stakeholders, elected officials and members of the media were in attendance.
Construction Authority CEO Habib F. Balian getting ready to hand off the final e-clip.
Track crew foreman and Monrovia resident, Elias Avila, moments before installing the final e-clip.
(left to right) Foothill Gold Line Board Chairman Doug Tessitor, Vice Chairman Sam Pedroza, Member John Fasana; crew member Elias Avila; Construction Authority CEO Habib F. Balian; and Kiewit Infrastructure West Vice President Andy Peplow.
Federal, state and local officials unveiled a plaque at the site of the last e-clip installation, commemorating the day and the importance of the project to the cities of Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa.