Foothill Extension
{{Short description|Light rail extension project in Los Angeles County, California}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = {{LACMTA link logo}} Foothill Extension {{LACMTA icon|A}}
| type = Light rail
| logo =
| logo_width =
| color = {{rcr|Los Angeles Metro Rail|A}}
| image = Gold Line Overpass on I-210.jpg
| caption = Foothill Freeway overpass east of Sierra Madre Villa station
| system = Los Angeles Metro Rail
| status = Phase 2A: Complete
Phase 2B1: In testing
Phase 2B2: Planned
| locale = Los Angeles, Pasadena, Azusa, Pomona
| start = {{LAMs|Sierra Madre Villa}}
| end = {{LAMs|APU/Citrus College}} (Phase 2A)
{{LAMs|Pomona North}} (Phase 2B1)
{{LAMs|Montclair}} (Phase 2B2)
| stations = 6 (Phase 2A)
4 (Phase 2B1)
2 (Phase 2B2)
| routes =
| ridership2 =
| open = {{Start date and age|2016|03|05}} (Phase 2A)
2025 (Phase 2B1)
{{Start date and age|2030}} (Phase 2B2)
| close =
| owner =
| operator = {{LACMTA link logo|showtext=yes}}
| character =
| depot =
| stock =
| linelength = {{convert|11.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} (Phase 2A)
{{convert|9.1|mi|km|abbr=on}} (Phase 2B to Pomona)
{{convert|3.2|mi|km|abbr=on}} (Phase 2B to Montclair)
| tracklength =
| gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg}}
| electrification = {{750 V DC|conductor=overhead}}
| map = {{switcher
| {{maplink-road|from=Foothill Extension.map}} Phase 2A highlighted in red, 2B to Pomona in green, 2B to Montclair in blue
| Show interactive map
| {{Foothill Extension|inline=yes}}
| Show route diagram
}}
}}
The Foothill Extension (formerly the Gold Line Foothill Extension) is a construction project extending the light rail A Line, a part of the Los Angeles Metro Rail system. The project begins at the former terminus of the former Gold Line at Sierra Madre Villa station in Pasadena and continues east through the "Foothill Cities" of Los Angeles County. The plan's first stage, "Phase 2A", extended the then-Gold Line to APU/Citrus College station in Azusa; it opened on March 5, 2016. The first part of "Phase 2B" will extend the now A Line a further four stations to Pomona North station on the Metrolink San Bernardino Line in Pomona. It broke ground in December 2017, was substantially completed on January 3, 2025, and is currently undergoing pre-revenue testing. Pre-revenue testing will last through August 2025, with an opening date expected around then or later in the summer.
The second part of Phase 2B will further extend the line two stations to Montclair Transcenter in Montclair, located in San Bernardino County, is planned to break ground in spring 2025 and be completed in 2030.
The corridor extension is being planned, managed, and implemented by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, simply known as Foothill Gold Line.{{Cite web |title=Foothill Gold Line (official project website) |url=http://www.foothillgoldline.org/ |access-date=January 12, 2022 |publisher=Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority}} The joint powers authority is governed by appointees from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SVGCOG), and the cities of Los Angeles, South Pasadena, and Pasadena. In addition to enhancing mobility in one of the most congested metropolitan areas in the United States, the {{convert|23.8|mi|km|adj=mid|project}} is seen as an economic catalyst for the region, generating 6,900 jobs during the construction phase and creating infill and transit-oriented development opportunities.{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2010 |title=Economic Impact Study: Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2A |url=http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab082856.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20121110011217/http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab082856.pdf |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |access-date=2014-11-22 |publisher=Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation}}
With the Regional Connector having opened on June 16, 2023,{{cite news |last1=Von Quednow |first1=Cindy |title=Metro Regional Connector opens in Los Angeles, bringing more direct access to downtown |url=https://ktla.com/news/metro-regional-connector-opens-in-los-angeles-brings-more-direct-access-to-downtown/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=KTLA |publisher=Nexstar Media Group |date=June 16, 2023}} the north (Pasadena–Azusa–Pomona) branch of the then-L/Gold Line was absorbed into the A Line, providing service from Long Beach via Downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena to Azusa.{{Cite news |date=2017-09-25 |title=Prepare for Our "Gold Line" to Be The "Blue Line" |language=en-US |work=ColoradoBoulevard.net |url=https://coloradoboulevard.net/get-ready-for-our-gold-line-to-be-the-blue-line/ |access-date=2018-11-22}}{{Cite news |date=2015-01-20 |title=Regional Connector Transit Corridor |language=en |work=US Department of Transportation |url=https://www.transportation.gov/tifia/financed-projects/regional-connector-transit-corridor |access-date=2018-11-22}}{{Cite web |title=The Metro Blue Line will soon be called the 'A Line' • Long Beach Post |url=https://lbpost.com/news/city/the-metro-blue-line-will-soon-be-called-the-a-line/ |access-date=2018-12-12 |website=lbpost.com|date=December 8, 2018 }}
Route
File:Gold Line Map (Future) of the Los Angeles County Metro System.png.]]
The entire {{convert|23.8|mi|adj=on}} route (Phase 2A and 2B) of the Foothill Extension follows the roadbed of the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway's Second Division through the Foothill Cities. These cities are in the foothills south of the San Gabriel Mountains, in the northern San Gabriel and Pomona valleys. Beginning at the former Gold Line terminus at Sierra Madre Villa station in Pasadena, the route extends roughly east, ending at Montclair Transcenter in Montclair, in San Bernardino County. The route parallels several major roads and highways, including I-210 (Foothill Freeway), Huntington Drive, and Foothill Boulevard.
Planning and Phase 2A
The Foothill Extension was initially conceived as "Phase 2" of the Gold Line, split into two parts, hence the numbering of its two phases. The route between Los Angeles and Pasadena is considered "Phase 1". The Gold Line Construction Authority (now Foothill Gold Line), which took over the Phase 1 project from Metro in 1999, also coordinates the Phase 2 projects.
The initial draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for the Gold Line Foothill Extension was completed in April 2006 and covered the entire corridor between Sierra Madre Villa station in Pasadena and Montclair Transcenter in Montclair. The final environmental impact report (FEIR) study assessed two different construction options: an LRT Full Build alternative, which would complete the full extension to Montclair, and an LRT Build To Azusa alternative, which would extend only to Azusa; this was dubbed Phase 2A. On February 28, 2007, the Construction Authority Board certified the final EIR and decided to complete the "LRT Build to Azusa" alternative.{{Cite web |date=28 February 2007 |title=Board resolution to certify FEIR. |url=http://www.foothillextension.org/feir/Resolution%20No%202007-R-01.pdf |access-date=2010-09-21 |publisher=Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority}}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
In October 2009, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) board of directors unanimously voted to include the Gold Line Foothill Extension in its long-range plan and approved funding for the construction and operation of Phase 2A. A groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2A was held on June 26, 2010;{{Cite news |date=June 26, 2010 |title=Metro Gold Line Breaks Ground |work=KABC-TV |url=https://abc7.com/archive/7523039/ |url-status=live |access-date=2010-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629040722/http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news%2Flocal%2Flos_angeles&id=7523039 |archive-date=June 29, 2011}} construction began the following summer and was completed in September 2015, with the extension entering service on March 5, 2016. The original project budget for Phase 2A was $690 million, including not only construction but also the purchase of vehicles, financing, administrative costs, mitigation, and other costs;{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2010 |title=Project Overview and Status, presentation to the Design-Build Institute of America |url=http://www.dbiawp.org/events/2010/DBIA_WP_Mar10_Breakfast_Presentation.pdf |access-date=2010-09-21}}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} in March 2011, the Construction Authority requested a $45 million increase in total budget, to $735 million, to reflect updated cost estimates.{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.net/board/Items/2011/03_March/20110324RBMItem7.pdf |title=Gold Line Foothill Extension |access-date=2011-03-23 |archive-date=2012-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407003605/http://www.metro.net/board/Items/2011/03_March/20110324RBMItem7.pdf |url-status=dead}} Phase 2A is {{convert|11.5|mi|km}} long and included stations at {{LAMs|Arcadia}}, {{LAMs|Monrovia}}, {{LAMs|Duarte/City of Hope}}, {{LAMs|Irwindale}}, {{LAMs|Azusa Downtown}}, and {{LAMs|APU/Citrus College}}, as well as a new Division 24 Maintenance and Storage Facility.
Phase 2B to Montclair
Phase 2B is the project to extend the A Line from the Phase 2A terminus in Azusa east to Montclair. The final EIR was certified by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (Foothill Gold Line) board in March 2013.{{Cite web |title=Azusa to Montclair Final EIR. |url=http://www.foothillgoldline.org/construction_phases/azusa_to_montclair/ |access-date=2014-09-02 |publisher=Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority}}
=Proposed station listing=
File:Montclair Transcenter, March 2025.jpg
Phase 2B is {{convert|12.3|mi|km}} long and will take approximately 17.9 minutes to traverse. The segment between Azusa and Pomona is {{convert|9.1|mi|km}} long and the segment between Pomona and Montclair is {{convert|3.2|mi|km}} long. The alignment will have six new Metro stations: {{LAMs|Glendora}}; {{LAMs|San Dimas}}; {{LAMs|La Verne/Fairplex}}; and {{LAMs|Pomona North}} with a connection to the Metrolink San Bernardino Line; {{LAMs|Claremont}} with a connection to the Metrolink San Bernardino Line; and {{LAMs|Montclair}} with a connection to the Metrolink San Bernardino Line and the Foothill Transit Silver Streak. Foothill Gold Line expects 17,800 riders by 2035.{{Cite news |last=Neal Broverman |date=August 21, 2012 |title=Plans Released for Gold Line Train to San Bernardino County |work=Curbed Los Angeles |publisher=Vox Media Inc. |url=http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/08/plans_released_for_gold_line_extension_to_san_bernardino_county.php |access-date=2015-01-07}}
=Status=
Planning for the Foothill Extension Phase 2B (Azusa to Montclair) began in 2003, and significant work has been completed for the segment. The final EIR for the project was certified by the Foothill Gold Line board in March 2013, and advanced conceptual engineering began in 2014. On June 23, 2017, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (Metro's) board of directors approved a $1.4 billion budget to extend the A Line (then the Gold Line) from APU/Citrus College station in Pasadena to Claremont station in Claremont, {{convert|11.5|mi|km}} to the east.{{Cite web |title=Metro Gold Line Extension to Claremont Montclair |date=23 June 2017 |url=https://la.curbed.com/2017/6/23/15858170/metro-gold-line-extension-claremont-montclair |publisher=Curbed L.A.}} However, officials in San Bernardino County convinced planners to further continue the extension to Montclair Transcenter in Montclair, an additional {{convert|0.8|mi|km}} to the east, saying the transit center made for a natural terminus for the line. It is expected to cost an additional $70 million to extend the A Line from Claremont to Montclair, across county lines.{{Cite web |title=Foothill Gold Line |url=http://www.foothillgoldline.org/construction_phases/glendora_to_montclair/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813145953/http://www.foothillgoldline.org/construction_phases/glendora_to_montclair/ |archive-date=2017-08-13 |access-date=2017-08-13 |website=www.foothillgoldline.org |language=en}} Construction on Phase 2B of the Foothill Extension is split into two projects. Project 1 is the relocation of freight railroad tracks, which is complete. Project 2 is the construction of the light rail line itself the A Line utilizes.
Full construction to Claremont and Montclair by 2028 depended on additional funding to be secured by October 2021.{{Cite news |date=10 July 2020 |title=Major Construction Begins on Foothill Gold Line Extension Project |agency=NBC Los Angeles |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/major-construction-begins-on-foothill-gold-line-extension-project/2394227/?amp |access-date=18 August 2020}} However, on September 10, 2021, state funding was past due for constructing the route further east of Pomona. This pushed the opening date to Montclair back, as well as outright placing the 3.2-mile segment at risk of cancellation altogether.{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=Hopes Dashed for Light Rail Line Extension From Pomona to Montclair |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2021/09/09/hopes-dashed-for-light-rail-line-extension-from-pomona-to-montclair/ |access-date=September 10, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |agency=Daily Bulletin |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=September 10, 2021}} However, Foothill Gold Line was persistent in seeking funding for the project.
On July 8, 2024, Governor of California Gavin Newsom and the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) announced the distribution of the first year of funding from California State Senate Bill 125 (SB125).{{cite web |title=Nearly $2 billion going to California public transit |url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/07/08/nearly-2-billion-going-to-california-public-transit/ |website=Governor of California - CA.gov |date=July 8, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}} Metro allocated $798 million of SB125 funding to complete the Los Angeles County portion of the Pomona to Montclair project. Courtesy of the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), CalSTA released close to $500 million for the project, with the remainder of the $798 million to be allocated by the end of 2024. On July 11, 2024, the Foothill Gold Line board of directors unanimously voted to work with Kiewit Corporation as their contractor to build the Pomona to Montclair project. The project's construction contract award is set for spring 2025 and should take five years to complete and open in 2030. On October 31, 2024, having received the total $798 million in funding from CalSTA, the Metro board of directors unanimously voted to transfer the funds to Foothill Gold Line. Additionally, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) has set aside $80 million in funding to directly fund the construction of the approximately {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} segment of the extension within San Bernardino County, matching the project's current total estimated cost of $878 million.{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=LA Metro awards funding to extend light-rail line into San Bernardino County |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2024/10/31/la-metro-awards-full-funding-to-extend-light-rail-line-into-san-bernardino-county/ |access-date=November 2, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=November 1, 2024}}
= Construction =
On December 2, 2017, officials broke ground for Phase 2B in a ceremony at Citrus College. The cost of the project was estimated at $1.5 billion. Completion of Phase 2B (including Montclair Transcenter) was expected by early 2026. On July 10, 2020, major construction began on Phase 2B, building four stations from Azusa to Pomona. The first part of the construction focused on reconstructing the 28 at-grade crossings and relocating utilities. Gladstone Street in San Dimas was the first one to begin.{{Cite web |title=Foothill Gold Line E-News Update – Major Construction Begins July 10: Full Closure of Gladstone Street at Railroad Crossing in San Dimas (July 10 - Sept. 30) |url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAFGL/bulletins/2933993 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Foothill Gold Line |language=en}} Nearly all reconstructions commenced and finished in late 2022. As of June 2023, the at-grade crossing reconstructions were complete.{{Cite web |title=Foothill Gold Line E-News Update – 2022 Year-End Review; What to Expect in 2023 |url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAFGL/bulletins/33ec5c4 |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=Foothill Gold Line |language=en}}
The freight/light rail bridges over channels and washes began in 2021, relocating and building new bridges to facilitate the freight and the A Line (then known as the L Line). These bridges were the first to finish as they didn't impact vehicular traffic. The light rail bridges, crossing major streets, began briefly. As required by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the light rail crossing at Foothill Blvd, Route 66, Lone Hill Blvd, and Bonita/Cataract Ave needed to be grade-separated (light rail only) with a flyover bridge. Those bridges feature the neighborhood's citrus design and includes local artwork. All of these components were complete by June 2023.{{cite web |title=Project Progress - Q2 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu10UHvfz0s |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=YouTube | date=June 14, 2023 |publisher=Foothill Gold Line}}
The more complex component was the freight track relocation. The freight originally existed in the middle of the corridor, leaving no room for the light rail extension. To create space, the construction authority relocated it to the north side (south side west of Lone Hill Blvd) of the alignment. It was complete by October 2022.{{Cite web |title=Foothill Gold Line E-News Update – October 2022 Project and Community Updates |url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAFGL/bulletins/3330f47 |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=Foothill Gold Line |language=en}} With the relocation work finished, crews began work on the light rail system by installing the overhead line, train control systems, and the light rail track. On June 24, 2023, an event held in La Verne culminated in the installation of the 230,630th rail clip (rail clips permanently attach the steel rail to the concrete railroad ties), officially completing major construction for the new light rail tracks from Glendora to Pomona.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-27 |title=Video, Photo & Media Recap: Completion of Major Work on New Light Rail Track System from Glendora to Pomona |url=https://www.iwillride.org/video-photo-media-recap-completion-of-major-work-on-new-light-rail-track-system-from-glendora-to-pomona/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=I Will Ride Blog |language=en}}
The extension to Pomona reached substantial completion on January 3, 2025. Following this, Foothill Gold Line transferred ownership of the segment to Metro, who is currently conducting pre-revenue testing along the segment. Pre-revenue testing will last through August 2025, with the extension expected to open around that time or later in the summer.
Proposed extension to Ontario International Airport
There has been past interest in extending the Gold Line (now the A Line) from Montclair Transcenter in Montclair to Ontario International Airport. Currently, no active proposals exist to plan or construct this extension.
=City of Ontario=
In 2006, when the city of Ontario joined the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, city leaders pushed to further extend the line to Ontario International Airport.
On March 9, 2009, the city passed a resolution affirming their support for this extension. The extension would be {{convert|7.5|mi|km}} in length.{{cite web |title=A Resolution Supporting The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Project |date=March 3, 2009 |url=http://www.ci.ontario.ca.us/index.cfm/4298/60075 |accessdate=September 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718093201/http://www.ci.ontario.ca.us/index.cfm/4298/60075 |archive-date=July 18, 2011}}
=Studies=
In 2008, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority commissioned a study by KOA Corporation to determine the feasibility of such an extension, which they dubbed "Phase 2C."{{cite web |title=Foothill Authority Website, Phase 2C, Montclair to Ontario |date=4 January 2011 |url=http://www.foothillextension.org/construction_phases/phase_2c_montclair_to_ontario/ |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522103836/http://www.foothillextension.org/construction_phases/phase_2c_montclair_to_ontario/ |archive-date=May 22, 2011}} The study found the extension would be feasible and provided several alignment alternatives. The extension would be between {{convert|7|mi|km}} and {{convert|15|mi|km}} and add up to four new stations, depending on the chosen alignment.{{cite web |title=Strategic Planning Study Report for Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension to LA/Ontario International Airport |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Strategic-Planning-Study-Report-for-Metro-Gold-Line-Extension-to-the-Ontario-International-Airport-2008.pdf |website=San Bernardino County Transportation Authority |access-date=July 12, 2024}}
In November 2014, the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), the precursor to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), conducted a study focused on better serving Ontario International Airport via public transport. Out of the six alternatives narrowed down from 32 that were more closely studied, one of these alternatives included "Alternative D-1", which proposed extending the Gold Line from Montclair Transcenter along the San Bernardino Line until Cucamonga Creek, which the line would then follow to terminate at Ontario International Airport.{{cite web |title=Ontario Airport Rail Access Study FINAL REPORT |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ontario-Airport-Rail-Access-Study-Report-2014.pdf |website=San Bernardino County Transportation Authority |access-date=July 12, 2024}}
In October 2018, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), in cooperation with the SBCTA and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), conducted a transit and rail planning study for the corridor connecting the eastern San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County with the western San Bernardino Valley in San Bernardino County.{{cite web |title=Los Angeles-San Bernardino Inter-County Transit and Rail Study |url=https://scag.ca.gov/los-angeles-san-bernardino-inter-county-transit-rail-study |website=Southern California Association of Governments |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=July 12, 2024}} This study considered two options for the "LRT Alternative", including extensions of the Gold Line to Ontario International Airport, the "Arterial Option" and the "Cucamonga Creek Option". The Arterial Option followed Indian Hill Boulevard and Holt Boulevard, while the Cucamonga Creek Option had the same routing as Alternative D-1 in the 2014 study.{{cite web |title=Los Angeles and San Bernardino Inter-County Transit and Rail Connectivity Study Final Report |url=https://scag.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/scag_intercountystudyreport_oct2018.pdf?1603319226 |website=Southern California Association of Governments |access-date=July 12, 2024}}
=Legislative attempts=
In January 2020, California State Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), representing California's 41st State Assembly district, introduced Assembly Bill AB 2011. The measure would've formed the West San Bernardino County Rail Construction Authority, which would've designed and constructed the extension from Montclair to Ontario International Airport.{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=Lawmaker pushes LA Metro Gold Line extension to Ontario Airport |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2020/01/30/bill-would-create-agency-to-build-gold-line-to-ontario-international-airport/ |access-date=July 2, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |agency=Daily Bulletin |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=January 30, 2020}}
Holden would be aided by California State Senator Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), representing California's 25th senatorial district, who introduced his bill, SB 1390, on February 21, 2020, which went even further and would've transferred taxpayer funds and land owned by the SBCTA within the proposed rail right of way to a state-created independent construction authority.
Both state legislators presented their bills to the SBCTA board of directors at the March 7, 2020, board meeting. The board voted to oppose both bills and passed a motion reasserting itself as the sole authority to plan, design, and build new mass transit projects in San Bernardino County.{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=Tensions mount over rail access to Ontario airport |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2020/03/07/tensions-mount-over-rail-access-to-ontario-airport/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |agency=Daily Bulletin |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=March 7, 2020}} Despite this, both bills were supported by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority.{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=Gold Line board warms to Ontario airport light-rail connection bill |url=https://www.sgvtribune.com/2020/03/11/gold-line-board-warms-to-ontario-airport-light-rail-connection-bill/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |agency=San Gabriel Valley Tribune |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=March 11, 2020}}
Neither bill was able to pass the state legislature. On May 18, 2020, the SBCTA ceased negotiations on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the extension, following Holden committing against further action on his legislative proposal, killing these attempts at the project.{{cite news |title=Ontario Airport Gold Line Connection - Project 'Derailed' by Transit Authority |url=https://southpasadenan.com/ontario-airport-gold-line-connection-project-derailed-by-transit-authority/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=South Pasadenan |date=May 18, 2020}}
=Proposed alternative=
{{Main|San Bernardino County Transportation Authority#Ontario Connector Project}}
As a cost-effective solution compared to the proposed extension, estimated at around $1–1.5 billion, SBCTA and Ontario International Airport are currently in the process of trying to implement a tunnel with autonomous, zero-emission vehicles on an "on-demand" basis from the Metrolink San Bernardino Line's Rancho Cucamonga station to Ontario International Airport.{{cite web |title=ONT Connector Project |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/project/ontloop-rail-to-air-tunnel-connection/ |website=San Bernardino County Transportation Authority |access-date=July 12, 2024}}
Initially, The Boring Company proposed constructing a single {{convert|2.8|mi|km|adj=on}} tunnel similar to the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop that would cost $60 million. However, the company eventually dropped out of the project because they refused to submit another refined proposal.{{cite news |last1=John |first1=Darryn |title=The Boring Company abandons plans for Ontario Airport loop in California |url=https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/the-boring-company-abandons-plans-for-ontario-airport-loop-in-california/ |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Drive Tesla |date=July 20, 2022}}
Despite this, the SBCTA moved forward with plans on the project.{{cite news |title=Local News San Bernardino County moves forward with underground tunnel plan without Elon Musk |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/san-bernardino-county-underground-tunnel-plan-without-elon-musk/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=CBS News |date=July 28, 2022}} The new plans for the project include two {{convert|4.2|mi|km|adj=on}} tunnels that will cost roughly $492 million.{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Summer |title=Elon Musk abandoned plans for a four-mile tunnel at Ontario airport. Locals are picking it up |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-27/elon-musk-abandons-plans-for-ontario-airport-tunnel |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 27, 2022}} The SBCTA selected HNTB as their new contractor to design, build, and maintain the project.{{cite press release |date=January 27, 2021 |title=HNTB selected by SBCTA for Ontario Airport tunnel project |url=https://www.hntb.com/press_release/hntb-selected-by-sbcta-for-ontario-airport-tunnel-project/ |publisher=HNTB |accessdate=January 2, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204143624/https://www.hntb.com/press_release/hntb-selected-by-sbcta-for-ontario-airport-tunnel-project/ |archive-date=February 4, 2021}}
References
{{reflist|30em|refs=
{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=A Line light-rail extension from Azusa to Pomona set to open in late summer |url=https://www.sgvtribune.com/2025/01/03/a-line-a-light-rail-from-azusa-to-pomona-is-done-and-set-to-open-in-late-summer/ |access-date=January 4, 2025 |work=San Gabriel Valley Tribune |publisher=Digital First Media |date=January 4, 2025}}
{{Cite web |date=December 2017 |title=Extension of Gold Line rail system to San Bernardino County breaks ground |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-gold-line-20171202-story.html |access-date=December 2, 2017 |website=Los Angeles Times}}
{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=State funds Pomona-to-Montclair light rail, first LA Metro project to San Bernardino County |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2024/07/08/state-funds-pomona-to-montclair-light-rail-first-la-metro-project-to-san-bernardino-county/ |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=July 8, 2024}}
{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=Board picks potential firm to build Pomona-to-Montclair light rail extension |url=https://www.sgvtribune.com/2024/07/11/board-picks-potential-firm-to-build-pomona-to-montclair-light-rail-extension/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |agency=San Gabriel Valley Tribune |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=July 11, 2024}}
{{cite news |last1=Stockstill |first1=Mason |title=Ontario courts Gold Line extension |url=https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121273 |access-date=September 11, 2010 |work=Inland Valley Daily Bulletin |agency=San Gabriel Valley Tribune |publisher=Digital First Media}}
{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=Elon Musk's Boring Co. proposes tunnel to Ontario airport as alternative to light-rail |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2020/05/27/elon-musks-boring-co-proposes-tunnel-to-ontario-airport-as-alternative-to-light-rail/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |agency=Daily Bulletin |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=May 27, 2020}}
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External links
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- [https://foothillgoldline.org// Foothill Gold Line] – the construction authority overseeing this project.
- [https://www.metro.net/projects/foothill-extension/ Foothill Extension] – the official Metro project page.
- [https://la.streetsblog.org/2014/06/19/gold-line-phase-ii-photo-essay/ Los Angeles Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension: A Photo Essay]
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Category:A Line (Los Angeles Metro)
Category:L Line (Los Angeles Metro)
Category:Los Angeles Metro Rail projects
Category:Proposed railway lines in California
Category:Public transportation in the San Gabriel Valley
Category:Railway lines opened in 2016
Category:Tram and light rail transit systems under construction
Category:2025 in rail transport