Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GLENDORA TO POMONA SEGMENT AND RIDING THE NEW EXTENSION OF THE METRO A LINE

Is the Foothill Gold Line from Glendora to Pomona complete?
After five years of design and construction, the 9.1-mile, four-station Foothill Gold Line light rail project from Glendora to Pomona reached substantial completion on January 3, 2025 – on time and on budget. The project – which is extending the Metro A Line to the cities of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona – has now been turned over to LA Metro for training and pre-revenue operations. Smaller, final elements of work (mostly categorized as punch list items) will be completed throughout the corridor and at the station areas through 2025; but these continuing work activities do not impact Metro’s ability to ready the new extension for passenger service. LA Metro will determine and announce when passenger service begins.

When can I begin riding the new extension?
Now that Metro has taken over the project, they have several important tasks they need to perform before opening the line for service. These activities can take several months and include final testing of the systems, receiving certificates of occupancy, certifications from the California Public Utilities Commission for the grade crossings, safety exercises and certifications, hiring and training of staff, running “pre-revenue service” and then finally opening the line for revenue service (among other tasks). These tasks can take several months to complete. When ready, LA Metro will announce when passenger service will begin. A start date has not yet been announced, but it is anticipated sometime in Summer 2025.

What does substantial completion mean?
Achieving substantial completion means that the entire newly constructed light rail system from Glendora to Pomona (including the stations, tracks, power system, train control system, grade crossing safety equipment, communications system, etc.) is fully functional and ready to be used as intended. Smaller, final elements of work (mostly categorized as punch list items) will be completed throughout the corridor and at the station areas through 2025; but these continuing work activities do not impact Metro’s ability to ready the new extension for passenger service. LA Metro will determine and announce when passenger service begins.

Where are the new stations located?
Click below to see each station location on Google Maps.

• Glendora Station
• San Dimas Station
• La Verne/Fairplex Station
• Pomona North Station

Will there be parking, bike lockers and drop-off areas at the new stations? How many parking spaces are available at each station?
Yes. The four new stations have parking facilities built adjacent to or across the street from the station platforms. All station parking facilities were built to be multi-modal – and include EV chargers, bicycle parking, drop-off areas for buses and ride-sharing, along with easy access for pedestrians. At the Pomona Station, parking will be shared with Metrolink. All operational decisions regarding parking (ie., fees for parking, permit availability, etc.) are made by LA Metro.

To view the location of the station parking facilities, click on the site plan of interest: Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne/Fairplex and Pomona North.

• Glendora Station has 302 parking spaces.
• San Dimas Station has 289 parking spaces.
• La Verne/Fairplex Station has 300 parking spaces.
• Pomona North Station has 300 parking spaces.

How long will it take to ride the Metro A Line from the new stations to Pasadena and Downtown Los Angeles?
See the table below for estimates of travel times from new Glendora to Pomona stations:

* Travel times are approximate and will be determined by LA Metro.

How much will it cost to ride the Metro A Line? Where can I find more information on train schedules, getting to destinations, reserving bike lockers, parking fees or anything else related to riding the Metro A Line?
Questions related to the operational Metro system should be directed to Los Angeles County Metro (the Construction Authority is a separate government agency from LA Metro):
Metro’s customer relations is available at 1-323-Go Metro (1-323-466-3876) or customerrelations@metro.net. Train schedules and other information are also available at www.metro.net.

Where did the funding for the Glendora to Pomona project come from? Was the project completed within budget?
The 9.1-mile, four-station Glendora to Pomona project was completed on time and on budget. Funding for the project segment came mostly from LA County, with State of California greenhouse gas reduction and tire-derived aggregate grant funding. The majority of Los Angeles County funding came from the Measure M half-cent sales tax (approved by LA County voters in November 2016), along with nearly $100 million of residual funds from the Measure R half-cent sales tax not used to complete the now-operational Pasadena to Azusa segment. Additionally, the project was awarded a nearly $300 million grant through the CalSTA’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) in 2018. The majority of the TIRCP grant funds have been used to complete the Glendora to Pomona segment, with approximately $40 million set aside for the final project segment from Pomona to Montclair (see below for more on the Pomona to Montclair segment). In 2021, the project was also awarded a $650,000 grant from CalRecycle to use tire-derived aggregate as part of the project. As a result, approximately 548,200 tires were recycled and utilized to reduce noise in areas along the project corridor where noise impacts were identified and could be reduced through this effort.

How is the Metro A Line different than Metrolink?
The Metro light rail system and Metrolink are two different train systems operated by separate agencies and generally serve different travel markets.

Metro A Line trains are light rail vehicles that are powered by electricity and have an overhead catenary system to provide power to the trains. They connect community to community and have stations about every mile. Metro A Line trains run about 22 hours a day, with frequent service throughout the day, seven days a week.

Metrolink is an inter-county commuter rail system that serves Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernardino County and Riverside County. Metrolink trains are heavy rail vehicles, powered by diesel locomotives, that service longer distance trips. They make fewer stops and primarily operate during peak commuting hours in the morning and afternoon/evening, with less frequency during off peak times.

Will the Metro A Line trains cross intersections at street level or be elevated on bridges?
Grade crossings are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission and include at-grade crossings (where the train crosses a street at street level), grade-separated crossings (where the train crosses the street on a bridge and is therefore separated from street traffic) and pedestrian crossings (where pedestrians cross the tracks).

The CPUC has determined that 21 streets could remain at-grade between Glendora and Pomona, while the following intersections must be grade-separated (for A Line trains only):
• Grand Avenue/Foothill Avenue (Glendora) – completed
• Route 66 (Glendora) – completed
• Lone Hill Avenue (Glendora) – completed
• Bonita Avenue/Cataract Avenue (San Dimas) – completed

At nearly all of the upgraded at-grade crossings, where trains will cross at street level, a new safety gate system that closes off the rail corridor from cars and pedestrians when a train is approaching has now been installed.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY

Is the Construction Authority a department of Los Angeles County Metro?
No. The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority is a separate agency from Los Angeles County Metro. The Construction Authority is a single-purpose agency, put in place by the California State Legislature in the late 1990s to plan, design, and construct the Gold Line (now Metro A Line) light rail system from Los Angeles Union Station to Claremont (later extended to Montclair). Los Angeles County Metro is the Transportation Authority for the County of Los Angeles and is responsible for operating and maintaining the light rail system once construction is completed.

The Construction Authority has already built two of the three Foothill Gold Line segments from Union Station to Pasadena and Pasadena to Azusa, and is currently underway on the third segment from Glendora to Montclair (which will be completed in two phases from Glendora to Pomona and Pomona to Montclair). Once the Construction Authority has completed construction and testing of each Foothill Gold Line segment, the agency turns that segment over to LA Metro to operate. Metro is then the responsible agency in perpetuity.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE POMONA TO MONTCLAIR SEGMENT

What is the latest on the segment from Pomona to Montclair? When will it be completed?
The 3.2-mile, two-station Pomona to Montclair project segment is shovel-ready and receiving the majority of the funding needed through the State of California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (funded mostly by SB125). The procurement process to hire the design-builder for the future two-station project segment is underway now. Once the contractor is hired, the project will take approximately five years to build to Claremont and Montclair.

Is the Pomona to Montclair project segment fully funded?
In 2024, Los Angeles County Metro designated $798 million to complete the portion of the project in LA County. San Bernardino County is responsible for funding the portion of the project in their county and has funding set aside from several local and state sources. The final cost of the project will be known when the design-build contractor is hired.

Have the locations of the Claremont and Montclair stations been finalized?
Yes. The locations of the Claremont and Montclair stations were selected by the station-cities and approved as part of the Final Environmental Impact Report in 2013:

• The Claremont Station will be located approximately where the current Metrolink Station is located today, just west of College Avenue and south of First Street. As part of the Foothill Gold Line project, the Claremont Metrolink Station will be relocated east of College Avenue, nearer to the station parking.
• The Montclair Station will be located at the Montclair TransCenter, located just east of Monte Vista Avenue and north of Arrow Highway. A dozen bus and rail connections are available at this location.

Will the future stations have parking?
Yes. All future stations will have parking facilities built adjacent to or across the street from the new stations. All station parking facilities are planned to be multi-modal – and include EV chargers, bicycle parking, drop-off areas for buses and ride-sharing, along with easy access for pedestrians. At the Claremont and Montclair Stations, parking is anticipated to be shared with Metrolink. To view the location of the station parking facilities, click on the site plan of interest: Claremont and Montclair.

Will the Metrolink Station stay in Claremont?
Yes. However, as part of the project, the Claremont Metrolink Station will be relocated from its current location west of College Avenue to a new location just east of College Avenue. This change will take place as part of the Pomona to Montclair phase of construction.

Will the Metro A Line trains cross intersections at street level or be elevated on bridges?
Grade crossings are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission and include at-grade crossings (where the train crosses a street at street level), grade-separated crossings (where the train crosses the street on a bridge and is therefore separated from street traffic) and pedestrian crossings (where pedestrians cross the tracks).

The CPUC has determined that the project must grade-separate the following intersections (for Metro A Line trains only):
• Garey Avenue (Pomona) – future bridge (part of Pomona to Montclair segment)
• Towne Avenue (Pomona) – future bridge (part of Pomona to Montclair segment)
• Indian Hill Boulevard (Claremont) – future bridge (part of Pomona to Montclair segment)
• Monte Vista Avenue (Montclair) – future bridge (part of Pomona to Montclair segment)

A Line trains will cross all other streets at-grade, or at street level, typically using a new safety gate system that closes off the rail corridor from cars and pedestrians when a train is approaching. All crossings that cross a local street will be improved as part of the project and upgraded with new safety equipment.

How long will it take to ride the Metro A Line from the future Claremont and Montclair stations to Pasadena and Downtown Los Angeles?
See the table below for estimates of travel times from the future Claremont and Montclair stations:

* Travel times are approximate and will be determined by LA Metro.

What temporary and permanent changes should I expect as a resident, worker or business near the Pomona to Montclair project as part of the construction?
During construction, the community can expect temporary impacts (such as short-term lane closures, extended street closures at street crossings, noise mostly from construction vehicles, and other construction-related activities). Notices and signage will be used to warn of these temporary conditions.

Permanent changes will also occur due to the project, including safety enhancements at all street crossings (new safety gates, raised medians, red curbing and turn restrictions within 100 feet of the rail corridor at all street crossings), relocation of the freight/Metrolink tracks within the shared rail corridor to make room for the two new light rail tracks, new fencing and walls will be built along the entire rail corridor, and new overhead lines to power the new light rail system.

New light rail bridges (for the Metro A Line trains only) will be built over some streets (as required by the California Public Utilities Commission for safety – see question above), and any existing freight bridge will also be relocated. For specific details on the permanent changes occurring in a station-city of interest, see more information on the city-station pages of this website.

What does it mean that the Metro A Line will be in a shared corridor with Metrolink and freight? Will the future trains use the same tracks as Metrolink and BNSF freight trains?
The entire 3.2-mile Pomona to Montclair segment corridor is currently used by freight. Metrolink service currently runs from Cambridge Avenue in Claremont – east past the future Montclair Station. The rail right of way is approximately 100-feet wide on average; generally providing enough room to fit the existing freight and Metrolink tracks and the future Metro A Line tracks. Metrolink/Freight trains and Metro A Line trains DO NOT share tracks.

However, because the freight/Metrolink tracks are currently located in the middle of the rail corridor, they will be relocated within the shared corridor to make room for the two new light rail tracks. From Towne Avenue (Pomona) east, the freight and/or Metrolink track(s) will be relocated to the southern portion of the rail corridor and the light rail tracks built on the northern portion. West of Towne Avenue, the freight tracks will be relocated to the northern portion and the light rail tracks built on the southern portion. This is to allow BNSF to continue to service existing customers and Metrolink to continue service to their stations.

Is there an extension planned to connect the Gold Line from Montclair to Ontario Airport?
While a connection to Ontario Airport is frequently talked about as the final leg for the Foothill Gold Line, there are currently no plans or funding to move forward with building the segment.

I have questions about the Foothill Gold Line project or upcoming construction. Who can I speak to?
Here is how you can get your questions answered:

General Project Questions
Call: (626) 471-9050
Email: PublicAffairs@foothillgoldline.org

How can I stay updated on the future construction?
Receiving progress reports and construction alerts on the Foothill Gold Line is easy. Register online here to begin receiving our project e-newsletter to your email.

Who do I talk to about contracting and job opportunities with the Construction Authority?
Job openings and contracting opportunities will be posted on the website under the Contracting/Jobs tab. To register to receive information on upcoming contracting opportunities with the Construction Authority, register here.