Foothill Gold Line E-News

September 2022

UPDATES: Grade Crossings; Bridge Work; Stations; Light Rail Track and Power System; Sound Walls; Plus a New Video

After more than two years of major construction, crews are now nearly wholly focused on constructing the new light rail system. All along the 9.1-mile corridor, crews can be seen installing track for the new system, continuing work on the light rail bridges, installing the power system for the light rail trains, placing sound walls and continuing construction on the four new stations. Read on below for highlights from this past month of construction.

Grade Crossing Updates – Crossings in San Dimas and La Verne Reopen

Photo: Top-down view of newly-reconfigured Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection

Work on the nearly two dozen grade crossings is quickly coming to an end. In the past month, crews completed the work necessary to reopen the crossings at Walnut Ave. and the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection in San Dimas, and Wheeler Ave. in La Verne.

At Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave., the newly-reconfigured intersection (see photo above) reopened to motorists and pedestrians on August 14, following a two-month full closure that allowed crews to build new roadways, curbs, gutters and medians; complete underground utility work; continue work on the relocated freight track; and continue constructing the new light rail bridge. However, the intersection will be under a temporary lane configuration with restricted movements through the end of the year to allow crews to safely complete work on the intersection, including installing new traffic signals to replace what was historically a four-way stop. For more information on the restrictions, click here.

Nearby, the Walnut Ave. crossing reopened on August 15, following a two-week mix of lane and full street closures to allow crews to complete work on the roadway and new medians. This followed an initial five-month closure of Walnut Ave. in late 2021, when crews installed two new light rail tracks, relocated the freight track, completed all underground utility work and installed a host of safety improvements. Crews will return to the Walnut Ave. crossing for a final, one-day full closure to complete the remaining reconstruction work. More information will be provided when available.

Photo: Wheeler Ave. crossing reopen

On that same day (August 15), crews also reopened the Wheeler Ave. crossing (see photo above) in La Verne, after utilizing a two-week full closure to install the westbound light rail track and construct the roadway and new medians. Crews had already installed the eastbound light rail track, relocated the freight track and completed utility work during a three-month closure in Winter 2020. No more full closures of Wheeler Ave. are expected.

Ongoing Grade Crossing Closures:

Photo: Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. intersection

At the Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. intersection in Glendora (see photo above), crews are continuing the closure of Grand Ave. north of Foothill Blvd., while maintaining the reconfigured traffic lanes east, west and south of the intersection. This will allow crews to complete the bridge work (more on the bridge below) a few months earlier than originally planned. The closure of Grand Ave. will continue through the end of October (click here for notice), while the lane reconfigurations will continue through the end of November (click here for notice).

Photo: Route 66 between Hunters Trail and Compromise Line Rd. reopen

This past weekend, crews completed the first of two back-to-back full weekend closures of Route 66 between Hunters Trail and Compromise Line Rd. (just west of Lone Hill Ave.) in Glendora (see photo above). During the first weekend closure, crews removed most of the falsework for the new light rail bridge (more on the bridge below) over Route 66, and will utilize the second weekend closure, which begins this Friday evening (September 16), to remove the remaining falsework and complete additional work on the bridge that requires a full closure for safety. For more information on this weekend’s full closure of Route 66, click here. In addition, the nightly intermittent lane or bi-directional closures of Route 66 will continue through this month. For more information, click here.

Photo: Monte Vista Ave. crossing permanently closed

As a reminder, crews last month permanently closed the Monte Vista Ave. crossing in San Dimas to vehicles (see photo above). The permanent closure was required by the California Public Utilities Commission for safety and is needed due to the length of the east approach of the new light rail bridge over the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection. Pedestrians are able to travel north and south through the crossing during and after construction, and will soon be able to utilize the newly-constructed and permanent pedestrian undercrossing. For more information on the permanent closure, click here.

Photo: Fulton Rd. crossing fully closed

Earlier this week, crews began a final, 45-day full closure of the Fulton Rd. crossing in La Verne/Pomona (see photo above). Crews will utilize this closure to install the new light rail tracks and Metrolink train control, complete the wing walls and retaining walls for the Thompson Creek Bridge, as well as complete the roadway and hardscape. This work also requires the temporary closure of the Pomona North Metrolink station entrance on Fulton Rd. during this street closure. For more information, click here.

At Garey Ave. in Pomona, crews continue to make progress protecting existing underground utilities. 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. During the 45-day closure of Fulton Rd. that started this week, lanes on Garey Ave. will be fully available. NOTE: A one-month closure of Garey Ave. is planned for later this year to complete the crossing reconstruction work not able to be completed under lane closures. We will keep you posted, when the closure timeline is finalized.

Upcoming Closure of Lone Hill Ave. in Glendora

On the night of Monday, September 19, crews will fully close Lone Hill Ave. at the railroad crossing in Glendora to complete a concrete pour for the new light rail bridge. The closure is expected to begin at about 8 PM on Monday night and continue through about 4 AM the following morning. For more information, click here.

To sign up for Construction Alerts, go to www.foothillgoldline.org.

Construction of New Light Rail Bridges Over Major Streets

Below are updates on the four new light rail bridges being built over major city streets (from west to east):

Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. Light Rail Bridge

Photos: Crews pouring concrete for the new light rail bridge over Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. at night (top) and early morning (bottom)

With Grand Ave. closed north of Foothill Blvd., and the temporary traffic configuration in place on the other three intersection street segments (all mentioned above), crews continue to make significant progress constructing the super-structure for the new light rail bridge over the intersection of Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave. in Glendora. Over the past few weeks, crews have completed two major concrete pours for the internal portion of the super-structure, as seen in the photos above, and are currently installing steel rebar and form panels ahead of the next major concrete pour for the deck.

Photo: Crews constructing west approach to new light rail bridge over Foothill Blvd./Grand Ave.

To the west of the super-structure, crews have resumed constructing the retaining walls for the west approach to the bridge (see photo above). Crews had previously built the west approach just short of reaching the bridge to allow for space to stage materials for the falsework installation. With the falsework now installed, crews can finish the west approach and connect it up to the bridge.

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 pouring concrete for walls of new light rail bridge over Route 66

The super-structure of the new light rail bridge over Route 66 in Glendora is now nearly complete. With that milestone in reach, crews this past weekend utilized a full closure of Route 66 between Hunters Trail and Compromise Line Rd. to remove most of the falsework that was supporting the super-structure during its construction. Crews will close this same area of Route 66 for a second weekend, beginning this Friday evening, to remove the remaining falsework and complete additional work on the bridge. For more information, click here.

With most of the work on the super-structure completed, crews continue to work on other elements that make up the light rail bridge. Earlier this week, crews completed a concrete pour for the walls of the bridge and east abutment, as seen in the photos above.

Photo: Crews constructing foundations for sound walls on top of west approach for new light rail bridge over Route 66

And to the west, crews are constructing on top of the west approach the foundations for the sound walls (more on the sound walls below).

Lone Hill Ave. Light Rail Bridge

Photos: Crews pouring concrete on separate nights for the new light rail bridge over Lone Hill Ave.

Progress continues on the project’s largest light rail bridge that spans over Lone Hill Ave. in Glendora. In the past month, crews have completed two major concrete pours for the west abutment, column bent, walls and internal portion of the bridge super-structure (see photos above).

As mentioned above, crews will fully close Lone Hill Ave. at the railroad crossing this upcoming Monday night, September 19, to complete another major concrete pour for the super-structure. For more information, click here for the notice.

Photo: Crews constructing east approach for new light rail bridge over Lone Hill Ave.

To the east, crews continue to construct the retaining walls for the east approach to the bridge, as seen in the photo above. When completed, the east approach will measure 1,200 feet long, ending just before Gladstone St.

To better help the community and businesses understand this bridge and the construction activities expected, the Construction Authority released a video in late June, entitled: “Building the Lone Hill Ave. Light Rail Bridge.“ The video can be viewed by clicking here.

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: New light rail bridge and reconfigured intersection at Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave.

As many motorists who have traveled along the corridor can tell, of the four light rail bridges being constructed over major streets in Glendora and San Dimas, progress on the one over the Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave. intersection is the furthest along of them all. With the bridge completed (see photo above), crews are now focused on constructing the approaches to the west and east of the bridge.

Photo: Crews completing work on new pedestrian undercrossing at Monte Vista Ave.

Another bridge structure that is completed is the new pedestrian undercrossing at the Monte Vista Ave. crossing (see photo above). As stated earlier, Monte Vista Ave. was recently permanently closed to vehicles; however, pedestrians will be able to travel north and south through the crossing during and after construction. Very soon, pedestrians will be able to utilize the new undercrossing.

To learn more about the future light rail bridge at Bonita Ave./Cataract Ave., click here.

Station Construction Underway

Work is now underway on all four light rail stations, all of which will be center platform stations, with a track on each side – one for westbound and one for eastbound trains.

Glendora Station

Photo: Glendora station construction

Crews continue to make progress completing the remaining work for the deck of the future Glendora station platform. As seen in the photo above, most of the deck is completed, with work remaining on the areas of the platform that will hold the future ticket vending machines. The Glendora station is located within the corridor between Vermont Ave. and Glendora Ave.

San Dimas Station

Photo: Crews constructing walls for San Dimas station platform

At the site of the future San Dimas station, between San Dimas Ave. and Walnut Ave., crews have completed work on the foundation for the station platform, and are currently constructing the walls for the platform, as seen in the photo above. Following the completion of the walls, crews will move on to constructing the platform deck.

NOTE: The associated parking facility for the future San Dimas station was recently approved to be relocated to the existing San Dimas Park & Ride lot across San Dimas Ave. from the future San Dimas station. The approval came after a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report 3 was released that reviewed the potential project modification.

To view the Final SEIR 3 and learn about the approved modifications, click here.

La Verne Station

Photo: Crews pouring concrete for deck of La Verne station platform

Within the corridor between E St. and White Ave. in La Verne, crews continue to make progress on the future La Verne station platform. As seen in the photo above, crews recently completed a series of concrete pours to complete the deck of the station platform, and are now constructing the ramps that will allow future riders access to the platform.

Pomona Station

Photo: Crews installing underground conduit at site of future Pomona station

As seen in the photo above, at the site of the future Pomona station, crews are currently installing underground conduit that will house the communications and power lines for the station and light rail system. Once this work is completed, crews will move on to constructing the station platform itself. The Pomona station will be located within the corridor between Fulton Rd. and Garey Ave., adjacent to the existing Pomona North Metrolink station.

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 and Power Systems

Photos: Crews constructing light rail track system in La Verne

Throughout the 9.1-mile corridor, crews are building the various layers that make up the light rail track system – from the subgrade and sub-ballast to the concrete ties and steel rail on top. As seen in the photos above, crews are currently most active installing the new light rail tracks along Arrow Hwy. in La Verne.

Photo: Crews installing TPSS unit near Monte Vista Ave. crossing

The power for the light rail system will come from the Traction Power Substations (TPSS) that are being installed about a mile apart throughout the corridor. The TPSS converts AC power from the local utility into DC power that then travels through the overhead wires to power the light rail system. Crews recently installed the fifth TPSS on the project (as shown above) by the Monte Vista Ave. crossing. In total, eight TPSS units will be installed from Glendora to Pomona.

To help the community understand how the new light rail track system is constructed, the Construction Authority has recently released a new video, entitled: “Building the Light Rail System: A Step by Step Overview.” The six-minute video, which can be viewed using the links below, provides a step-by-step overview of the process. Watch to learn how both people and machine power is used to create a safe, durable, reliable and comfortable riding surface for the future light rail system.

Click here or below to play the video

Installation of Sound Walls

Photos: Sound wall installation in La Verne

About 28,000 feet of sound walls are being installed from Glendora to Pomona to reduce noise from trains traveling along the corridor for residential and other noise sensitive neighbors. The sound wall panels are being fabricated locally, before being delivered for installation. As seen above, the sound walls are being built using specialized forms that allow for one of the project’s citrus-inspired design patterns to be utilized.

Now Available: Fall 2022 Project Newsletter

The Fall 2022 Foothill Gold Line Project Newsletter is now available. Click here or below to learn:

• The construction progress of the new light rail track and overhead catenary systems
• The unique design details of the 10 miles of project walls being installed along the corridor
• How design-builder KPJV maintains a safety-first work environment and culture
• The latest on the new light rail stations being built in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona
• Fun stats on the amount of material used in the construction of the Glendora to Pomona project segment so far

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