Gold Line Receives Vital Federal Support

New Project Designation Signifies Momentous Step Forward in Federal Process

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, applauded the federal commitment Congress provided to the Gold Line Foothill Extension today with final passage of The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Conference Report, H.R. 3. The bill passed the House earlier today with a strong bipartisan vote, 412-8. It now heads to the Senate for final approval and then to the President for his signature.

“The Foothill Extension is a critical component of the San Gabriel Valley’s economic vitality,” Dreier said. “Today’s vote of support goes a long way toward successful completion of this project, which will help relieve traffic congestion and improve our air quality. I commend the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, its board, and all the cities along the line for their hard work, and look forward to our continued federal-local partnership.”

The Gold Line Foothill Extension will continue from Pasadena to the cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont, and Montclair. The project is working closely with the Federal Transit Administration to successfully complete this critical light rail line for the San Gabriel Valley.

The bill approved today provides two significant steps forward for the Foothill Extension to meet the FTA’s vigorous review of all new light rail projects. The Gold Line Foothill Extension from Los Angeles to Montclair was designated in the New Starts program under the Final Design category, a step forward from the Alternatives Analysis and Preliminary Engineering designation it received earlier this year. This is significant as projects in the Final Design category are eligible to receive construction funding.

In addition, the $19.79 million provided for the Foothill Extension will help to continue the planning and design, as well as help to construct intermodal centers throughout the line. These intermodal centers will serve communities in encouraging transit use and increasing development around future Gold Line stations.