Foothill Gold Line E-News

April 2025 E-News Update

Glendora to Pomona Project Update: Metro to Run Trains Starting This Week

Photos: Past active train testing at San Dimas station (top) and Glendora Ave. crossing in Glendora (bottom)

As part of the final preparations to ready the 9-mile Glendora to Pomona extension for passenger service, LA Metro will resume running trains throughout the corridor and stations, beginning tonight, Wednesday, April 30, and will continue to run trains on and off until full pre-revenue operations begin in the next few months – at which point trains will be running at full service level. Over the next few days, trains will run during scheduled shifts (click here for more details); however, community members, motorists and pedestrians should always expect trains to be running from here on out.

Metro has not yet announced the start date for passenger service, but it is anticipated this coming summer. In the meantime, Metro and the Construction Authority continue to work on final preparations for passenger service, including final systems integration testing, safety and occupancy certification processes, punch list work, final paperwork, pre-revenue operations and other tasks.

Stay Safe, Be Alert

Please stay safe by always expecting a train when crossing the railroad corridor. The light rail trains run up to their maximum speed of 55 MPH. It is important that residents, commuters and pedestrians be aware and alert and follow all safety rules near the train tracks. Important activities and rules to be aware of:

• Always expect a train.
• Never walk on the train tracks.
• Never go around the lowered gates.
• Follow all safety instructions, obey all warning signs and watch for trains from both directions.

Photos (top to bottom): Landscaping at Glendora station plaza, Glendora station walkway from Glendora Ave., San Dimas station parking lot, La Verne station walkway from White Ave. and Pomona station walkway from Garey Ave.

Although the project is substantially complete and turned over to Metro, the Construction Authority and KPJV continue to work alongside Metro’s teams to support their efforts to prepare the line for passenger service, as well as continue to complete smaller, final elements of work (known as punch list items) throughout the corridor and station areas.

Some of these final elements will enhance the station experience for future riders, such as the landscaping that now adorn the walkways and station areas. As seen in the photos above, nearly all of the hundreds of native and drought-tolerant shrubs and trees have been planted throughout the station areas where future riders will walk, park or wait for pick-up by the new station platforms. In addition to enhancing the visual aesthetics of the station areas, the landscaping will provide shade, reduce urban heat island effects and provide a permeable surface for stormwater to infiltrate.

In addition, as seen in the same photos above, many of the walkways to the stations are enhanced with decorative pavers, and will provide walking access to the station platforms from nearby major streets.

Photos: First responders conducting emergency drills at Glendora station (top, middle) and within the corridor souteast of Route 66 (bottom)

As seen in the photos above, Metro, with the support from the Construction Authority and KPJV, continues to conduct emergency drills and safety education for their team and area first responders. Another series of emergency drills took place earlier this month at the Glendora station and within the corridor southeast of Route 66. More drills will continue to take place in the weeks and months ahead, along with tabletop exercises where Metro and first responders discuss and go over different emergency scenarios.

When Can I Ride? Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions About the Glendora to Pomona Project.

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). When ready, Metro will announce when passenger service will begin. A start date has not yet been announced, but it is anticipated sometime this coming summer.

What does substantial completion mean?
Achieving substantial completion means that the entire newly constructed light rail system from Glendora to Pomona 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.

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 with parking for about 300 cars. 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 North Station, parking will be shared with Metrolink. All operational decisions regarding parking (i.e., fees for parking, permit availability, etc.) are made by Metro.

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 the 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 LA 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.

For other frequently asked questions you may have about the Foothill Gold Line, click here.

Pomona to Montclair Update: New Plan to Deliver Pomona to Montclair Project Kicks Off With June Procurement

Graphics: Artist renderings of future stations in Claremont (top) and Montclair (bottom)

As a reminder, at their March meeting, the Construction Authority board of directors directed staff to cancel the then-ongoing design-build procurement and pursue a new plan to deliver the Pomona to Montclair project using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method. This followed Kiewit submitting its final offer to design-build the Pomona to Montclair project, of which their bid remained hundreds of millions of dollars above expert estimates and available funding. As a result, it was deemed both impossible and inappropriate to move forward with their bid.

The new plan utilizing the CMAR delivery method was deemed the best approach to put available dollars to their best use and prioritize efficient construction.

This month, at the April board meeting, Construction Authority staff presented an overview of the timeline for the new delivery plan. Beginning with the issuance of the Request for Proposals for the project design contract this June (with the designer expected to be hired in October) and the issuance of the Request for Proposals for the CMAR contract in September (and a contract award expected in February 2026), the new plan delivers the project with just a 10-12 month delay from the initial delivery plan.

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