Foothill Extension

Montclair Transcenter – proposed terminus of the line

Phase 2B is 12.6 miles (20.3 km) long and will take approximately 17.9 minutes to traverse.[9] The alignment will have six new Metro stations: Glendora; San Dimas; La Verne; Pomona, at Pomona (North) Metrolink station with a connection to San Bernardino Line; Claremont, at Claremont Metrolink station with a connection to San Bernardino Line; and Montclair, at Montclair Transcenter with a connection to San Bernardino Line and Foothill Transit Silver Streak.

Foothill Gold Line expects 17,800 riders by 2035.[15]

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 Construction Authority board in March 2013, and advanced conceptual engineering began in 2014. On June 23, 2017, LA Metro's board of directors approved a $1.4 billion budget Thursday to extend the L Line (then the Gold Line) from APU/Citrus College station to Claremont, 11.5 miles (18.5 km) to the east.[16] It is expected to cost an additional $70 million to extend the L Line from Claremont to Montclair, across county lines.[17]

Phase 2B of the Foothill Extension is composed of Project 1 and Project 2.[18] Project 1 is the relocation of freight railroad tracks, which is complete. Project 2 is the construction of the light rail line itself the L Line utilizes, which started construction in 2022.[18](more information below)

On December 2, 2017, officials broke ground for Phase 2B in a ceremony at Citrus College. The cost of the project is estimated at $1.5 billion.[1] Completion of Phase 2B (including Montclair Transcenter) is expected by early 2026.[18]

On July 10, 2020, major construction began on Phase 2B, building four stations from Azusa to Pomona, with service estimated to start in 2025. Full construction to Claremont and Montclair by 2028 depends on additional funding to be secured by October 2021.[19]

On September 10, 2021, funding was past due for constructing the route further east of Pomona, pushing the opening date to Montclair back or outright canceling the 3.3-mile segment altogether.[20]

The first part of the construction, starting in August, focused on reconstructing the 28 at-grade crossings and relocating utilities. Gladstone Street in San Dimas was the first one to begin. Nearly all reconstructions commenced and finished in late 2022, with the final finishing this year. As of January 2023, the At-Grade Crossing reconstruction is over 96% complete.[21]

The freight/light rail bridges over channels and washes began in 2021, relocating and building new bridges to facilitate the freight and 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 is needed to be grade-separated (light rail only) with a flyover bridge. Those bridges feature the neighborhood's citrus design and will include local artwork. 18 of 19 bridges have been completed.[21]

The more complex component was the freight track relocation. The freight existed in the middle of the ROW, 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 is complete as of October 2022.[22]

The light rail system was the last to begin (in 2022). Since the freight relocation was completed, the light rail track work and systems are under installation, mainly in Glendora, San Dimas, and La Verne. Systems are already almost 50% complete. The platform construction is also finally underway at all stations, focusing on finishing the deck (of the platform). Like the bridges, stations will also show artwork from locals. Station construction is 18% complete.[21]

As of January 2023, the extension is 63% complete (and on budget).[21]