Foothill Gold Line E-News

April 2022

UPDATES: Grade Crossing Updates; Bridge Work Highlights; Station Work; Light Rail Track Construction; Update on Claremont and Montclair Segment; Project Highlights Video

Project Nears 50% Completion

On any given day, more than 300 crew members are out in the corridor constructing the various elements and structures that make up the 9.1-mile Glendora to Pomona project. They are currently rebuilding the last few grade crossings, installing the new light rail system and stations, constructing the light rail bridges, installing safety equipment and more. With the tremendous progress they continue to make, the project is on track to be 50% complete in early summer. Stay tuned for an announcement.

Below are updates on the various elements of the project.

Grade Crossings Updates – Two More Crossings Nearing Completion

Photos: (top) San Dimas Ave. and (bottom) White Ave. grade crossings

Within the next week, crews are expected to complete reconstruction of two more grade crossings: White Ave. in La Verne (to reopen this Saturday, April 30) and San Dimas Ave. in San Dimas (anticipated to reopen May 6).

At both crossings, crews have installed two new light rail tracks and the relocated freight track; completed extensive underground utility work; installed a host of safety improvements; and are currently completing the work necessary to reopen each street, including reconstructing the roadway, curbs, gutters, new medians and sidewalks.

Photo: Crews relocating SoCal Edison power line at Cataract Ave. crossing in San Dimas

Ongoing Crossing Work:

Grade crossing reconstruction continues at Cataract Ave. in San Dimas – which is now fully closed north and south of Bonita Ave. through August (click here for notice). Crews there are relocating overhead SoCal Edison power lines that currently run over the light rail bridge and placing them underground, as KPJV prepares for a two-month full intersection closure at Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. this summer to complete reconfiguration of the intersection.

Photo: Crews protecting storm drain at Garey Ave. crossing in Pomona

At Garey Ave. in Pomona, crews are currently protecting existing underground utilities, as seen in the photo above. As part of this work, crews have implemented single lane closures on Garey Ave. at the railroad crossing, which will continue through the end of the year. A full closure of Garey Ave. is needed to complete the crossing reconstruction, but that work has not yet been scheduled.  For more information on the current work, click here.

Upcoming Crossing Work:

Looking forward, work will be starting soon in Glendora near the Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. intersection and on Route 66 under the light rail bridge, and in San Dimas/La Verne at the San Dimas Canyon Rd. grade crossing.

In order to keep traffic maintained in all directions while work continues on the bridge to be built over the Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. intersection (including as the falsework is installed), long-term reconfiguration of traffic lanes on both Foothill Blvd. and Grand Ave. near the intersection is planned. Expect delays through this area starting in the coming days and continuing through December 2022 (click here for notice). NOTE: A full closure of the intersection will be needed later this year, and a notice will be distributed ahead of that closure.

In addition, on May 9, crews will begin major reconstruction of the San Dimas Canyon Rd. grade crossing (north of Arrow Hwy.) in San Dimas/La Verne. This work follows a short, two-week closure that took place in late 2021 to relocate the freight track through the crossing and requires a full closure of the street at the crossing for approximately five and a half months (click here for notice).

Finally, on the evening of Thursday, June 2, Route 66 between Hunters Trail and Compromise Line Rd. in Glendora will be fully closed to all traffic (vehicular and pedestrian) for nighttime work that will continue until 5:00 AM on Friday morning (June 3). This full closure is needed to place concrete for the Route 66 light rail bridge, currently under construction (click here for notice).

As these activities get closer, Construction Alerts will be sent out. To sign up for Construction Alerts, go to www.foothillgoldline.org.

Construction of New Light Rail Bridges Over Major Streets

Nineteen bridges are being built new or renovated as part of the Glendora to Pomona project segment. With the freight bridge work done, the KPJV structures team is now focused on constructing the various light rail bridges. Like the freight bridges, most of the light rail bridges cross water channels and washes along the corridor – but four are being built to carry light rail trains over major streets.

Three of these four new light rail bridges are in Glendora at the Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. intersection, Route 66 and Lone Hill Ave.; the fourth bridge is in San Dimas at the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection. Each is required by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to improve safety for both the new light rail system and city streets. Below are updates on all of them (from west to east):

Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. Light Rail Bridge

Photos: (top) Completed west abutment; (bottom) Crews building foundations for sound walls on west approach of future light rail bridge over Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. in Glendora

With both abutments (the supports at the ends of the bridge) completed, crews continue to focus their efforts on constructing the west and east approaches that lead up to the new light rail bridge over the intersection. Each approach is about 1,300 feet long.

At the west approach, which has been under construction since last summer, crews are currently constructing the foundations for the sound walls. As seen in the photo above, when ready, the sound wall panels will be installed along the length of the approach. Sound walls will also be installed for the east approach in the future (more below).

Photo: Crews constructing retaining wall for east approach of future light rail bridge over Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. in Glendora

Across the intersection, the east approach for the bridge (photo above) continues to take shape as crews construct the retaining walls. The retaining walls for both approaches consist of custom form panels that feature the project’s citrus design.

In the near future, crews will begin constructing the falsework (the temporary support for the super-structure as it is built across the street). Ahead of that work, and as discussed above, crews will be reconfiguring the traffic lanes on Foothill Blvd. and Grand Ave. near the intersection to maintain traffic flow in all directions. That work is starting in the coming days.

To understand what the future light rail bridge over Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. will look like, click here to see 3D simulations.

Route 66 Light Rail Bridge

Photos: Crews installing falsework for future light rail bridge over Route 66 in Glendora

Construction of the falsework, west abutment and west approach continue to be underway for the future light rail bridge over Route 66 in Glendora. The falsework is the temporary support for the super-structure as it is built across the street. As seen in the photos above, the falsework now spans from abutment to abutment over Route 66. Once the falsework is in place, crews will begin constructing the super-structure.

During the falsework installation and some of the bridge construction, nightly intermittent lane or bi-directional closures of Route 66 between Hunters Trail and Compromise Line Rd. are taking place. This will continue through September; and as explained above, there will be a full nighttime closure of Route 66 on the night of Thursday, June 2. For more information on the intermittent lane or bi-directional closures, click here; for information on the one-night full closure of Route 66, click here.

Photos: Crews constructing the retaining walls for the west abutment (top) and west approach (bottom) for the future light rail bridge over Route 66

As seen in the photos above, crews continue to make progress constructing the west abutment and approach for the bridge, and are currently constructing the retaining walls for both. The west approach will measure approximately 400 feet in length and consist of custom form panels that feature the project’s citrus design.

For more information on the future light rail bridge over Route 66, click here.

Lone Hill Ave. Light Rail Bridge

Photo: West approach for the future light rail bridge over Lone Hill Ave. in Glendora

As seen in the photo above, the approach between the new light rail bridges over San Dimas Wash (west of Lone Hill Ave.) and Lone Hill Ave. continues to take shape. Crews are constructing the retaining walls for the approach, which consist of custom form panels that feature the project’s citrus design.

Meanwhile, with the center columns and both abutments completed, crews are now focused on assembling and installing the falsework over Lone Hill Ave. The falsework is the temporary support for the super-structure as it is built across the street. As seen in the photos below, the various elements of the falsework, which includes a combination of steel and wood beams, are currently being assembled on-site and installed. Once complete, the falsework will span from abutment to abutment.

Photos (above and below): Falsework installation to span from abutment to abutment over Lone Hill Ave.

The Lone Hill Ave. bridge will be the largest bridge on the 9.1-mile project from Glendora to Pomona. When completed, the bridge will span 344 feet from abutment to abutment. The super-structure will have a minimum vertical clearance of 24 feet to allow freight trains to travel underneath. This is the one location between Glendora and Pomona where the freight system will switch from south to north positions in the corridor to continue serving customers. To see what the bridge will look like when completed, click here for a 3D simulation.

Construction will continue on the Lone Hill Ave. bridge through the end of 2022, with long-term lane closures and a few days of full street closures ahead. To learn more, click here.

Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. Light Rail Bridge

Photo: Crews pouring concrete for deck of super-structure for future light rail bridge over Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection in San Dimas

Crews continue to make good progress on the future light rail bridge over the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection in San Dimas. Following last month’s successful concrete pour for the internal portion of the super-structure, crews this month completed the same process (installing rebar and forms and then placing concrete) for the deck of the super-structure, as seen in the photo above.

Photos: Crews running steel cables through the super-structure of the future light rail bridge over Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. in San Dimas to tension bridge before the track installation begins.

Once the concrete of the deck cured, crews moved on to the next phase of work to strengthen the super-structure. As seen in the photos above, this process involves running steel cables through the super-structure from one end to the other, and then tensioning the cables to help reinforce the integrity of the super-structure and increase its strength.

Photo: East approach for future light rail bridge over Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. in San Dimas

Just to the east of the intersection, crews continue to construct the approach for the bridge, as seen in the photo above. Crews are currently constructing the retaining walls for the approach, which consist of custom form panels that feature the project’s citrus design. The east approach will stretch from the bridge to just west of San Dimas Ave.

Photo: Crews constructing the pedestrian undercrossing at Monte Vista Ave. in San Dimas

The length of the east approach means that the existing railroad crossing at Monte Vista Ave. will need to be permanently closed to vehicular traffic in the future (a date for that closure is not yet finalized). Pedestrians, however, will continue to be able to travel north and south on Monte Vista Ave. after the street is closed by way of a pedestrian undercrossing, which will allow people to walk through the approach from the residential neighborhood south of the crossing to Bonita Ave. north of the crossing. As seen in the photo above, crews are currently constructing the walls of the pedestrian undercrossing.

To learn more about the future light rail bridge, click here.

Updates on Smaller Bridges

While motorists and pedestrians traveling along the corridor will easily notice the progress made on the above-mentioned bridges, there has also been significant work done on the various, smaller light rail bridges along the corridor. Here are updates on some of those bridges:

San Dimas Wash Light Rail Bridge

Photo: New light rail bridge over San Dimas Wash in Glendora

As mentioned above in the section about the Lone Hill Ave. light rail bridge, crews are currently constructing the approach that will carry the future light rail trains between the light rail bridges over San Dimas Wash and Lone Hill Ave. in Glendora. The light rail bridge over San Dimas Wash (photo above) is currently being used for crews to access the approach. In the future, crews will install two new light rail tracks on the bridge as part of the wider light rail track system construction.

Live Oak Wash Light Rail Bridge

Photo: New light rail bridge over Live Oak Wash in La Verne with sound wall panels installed

Crews have installed sound walls at the new light rail bridge over Live Oak Wash in La Verne. These are the first sections of sound walls to be completed for the project and showcase the unique citrus design pattern for this wall type. In total, about 28,000 feet of sound walls will be installed from Glendora to Pomona. In the future, crews will install two new light rail tracks on the bridge as part of the wider light rail track system construction.

Thompson Creek Light Rail Bridge

Photo: New light rail bridge over Thompson Creek in Pomona

Just east of the Fulton Rd. crossing in La Verne/Pomona, crews are building a new light rail bridge that will carry eastbound trains over the Thompson Creek channel. As seen in the photo above, the walls for the bridge deck feature the project’s citrus slice design pattern.

This bridge will be an extension of the existing channel structure that currently carries a temporary freight track. In the future, crews will remove the temporary freight track and install the westbound light rail track in its place.

Station Construction Underway

Work continues to be underway on the Glendora and La Verne stations, as well as the future Glendora and Pomona stations’ parking facilities. All light rail stations from Glendora to Pomona will be center platform stations with light rail tracks on both sides (one for westbound and one for eastbound light rail trains). Read on for progress on the station construction.

Glendora Station and Future Parking Facility

Photo: Crews constructing the deck for the Glendora station platform

Within the corridor between Vermont Ave. and Glendora Ave. in Glendora, crews continue to make progress constructing the platform for the future Glendora station. As seen in the photo above, crews recently completed concrete pours for most of the platform deck, and continue to install conduit for the future ticket vending machines on both ends of the platform. Once that conduit work is completed, crews will pour concrete at both ends of the platform to complete the deck.

Photo: Crews demolishing vacated building at site of future Glendora station parking facility

Earlier this month, at the site of the future Glendora station parking facility (south of the station), crews completed the demolition of the vacated building. In its place in the future will be a surface parking lot with amenities for riders arriving by bus, walking, bicycle and drop-off.

La Verne Station

Photo: Crews constructing the foundation for the La Verne station platform

Within the corridor between E St. and White Ave. in La Verne, crews recently began constructing the foundation for the future La Verne station platform. As seen in the photo above, crews are installing steel rebar and form panels before pouring concrete in sections to complete the platform foundation.

Future Pomona Station Parking Facility

Photo: Crews demolishing the last vacated building at the site of the future Pomona station parking facility

At the site of the future parking facility for the Pomona station, crews recently completed the demolition of the last vacated building that was purchased as part of the project. In its place in the future will be a surface parking lot with amenities for riders arriving by bus, walking, bicycle and drop-off.

To learn more about the plans for the future stations, see these fact sheets: Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona.

Construction of Light Rail Track System

Photo: Layer of ballast rocks for the light rail tracks in the corridor between D St. and E St. in La Verne (relocated freight track on the left)

Along the corridor just north of Arrow Hwy. in San Dimas and La Verne, crews have begun constructing the foundation for the light rail track system. As seen in the photo above, crews are building the foundations for the light rail tracks by placing layers of subgrade, sub-ballast and ballast (crushed rocks) throughout the light rail track portion of the corridor. Crews will later install the light rail tracks on top of the ballast.

Project Completion to Claremont and Montclair

To complete the Foothill Gold Line to Claremont and Montclair, the Construction Authority has requested a $748 million budget allocation from the State of California as part of the FY 2022-23 budget cycle. The budget negotiation process is currently ongoing in Sacramento and is expected to be completed in the next few months.

The Construction Authority is prepared to begin a procurement process to hire a design-build team for the 3.1-mile, two-station project segment, if the funds are secured. Construction of this complicated segment is expected to take about five years once a design-build team is hired.

We want to thank all of the project partners and the corridor’s state legislators for their support of the project’s funding request. As more information is known, we will provide updates.

To see more of these and other activities that took place this past month, click here or below to watch the April 2022 project highlight video.

Thank you for your continued interest in the Foothill Gold Line. We appreciate your patience as we build this important regional project.

Lisa Levy Buch, Chief Communications and Strategic Development Officer and the Public Affairs Team