August 27, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA) and his Southern California colleagues Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena, CA), Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-El Monte, CA), and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk, CA) recently sat down to discuss the importance of the proposed Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension to Montclair on television special entitled, Special Congressional Report: Transportation Issues in Southern California.   

“Completing the Gold Line Extension to Montclair just makes sense,” Dreier said. “The Gold Line has recently seen the largest jump in ridership among all the local lines.  With gas prices at record highs, it’s no wonder.  We should be increasing public transportation options for commuters and the Foothill Extension would do that.  As my colleagues and I discussed, completing this Extension will help save money for commuters, it’s good for the environment, and it will do a lot for our local economy.  There has been tremendous private sector investment in the Foothill Extension.  Together, my colleagues and I have fought for federal resources for this Extension.  Now we are fighting to secure the local commitment.  Hopefully this discussion will help prompt San Gabriel Valley residents to make their voices heard on this critical issue.”

According to a Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Transit Oriented Development (TOD) study conducted earlier this year, the Foothill Extension would meet a tremendous need for public transportation and provide significant economic benefits to the San Gabriel Valley.  The study predicted an increase of 262,000 jobs along the Foothill Extension by the year 2035.  The Gold Line is already experiencing record ridership, rising from 19,400 average weekday riders in July 2007 to 27,019 in July 2008, a growth of 39 percent.

To view Special Congressional Report: Transportation Issues in Southern California, please click here.