A Line Expands: New Stops Open in San Gabriel Valley

New A Line Stations Open in San Gabriel Valley

On Friday, four new stations on the A Line in the San Gabriel Valley will open to the public, marking a significant expansion of the light rail system. This extension brings the total length of the line to nearly 60 miles, now reaching as far as Pomona. The project represents a major milestone for the region, though it falls short of the original vision to extend the line further into Montclair.

Habib Balian, CEO of the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, described the $1.5 billion extension to Pomona as long overdue. “It's probably 20 years overdue,” he said. Despite the delays and challenges, the authority is pleased to see the project come to fruition.

Key Details About the Extension

The newly opened stations are located in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona. This brings the total number of stations on the A Line to 48. The line runs north-south from Long Beach through downtown Los Angeles, Northeast L.A., and Pasadena. The addition of these four stations extends the eastern segment, moving the terminus from Azusa to Pomona.

Each of the new stations connects with the Foothill Transit bus network, and the Pomona station also serves as a hub for the San Bernardino Metrolink. Metro has increased the frequency of trains along the A Line following the extension. During peak weekday hours, trains will run every 8 minutes, while off-peak and weekend hours will see a train every 10 minutes. Late-night service will be less frequent, with trains running every 20 minutes.

A trip from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Pomona is estimated to take just over an hour. The A Line remains one of the most popular Metro rail lines, with around 1.8 million boardings per month since the beginning of last year.

Impact on Education and Mobility

The extension is particularly significant for education, as there are 19 college campuses along the route from Azusa to Pomona. This line is often referred to as the "brain train" due to its connection with academic institutions.

Lucas LeVieux, an urban planning student at Cal Poly Pomona, called the extension a "game-changer." He noted that students have long sought better public transit options, despite having over 14,000 parking spots on campus. The extension is expected to help the university meet its climate and enrollment goals by reducing reliance on cars.

Ed Reece, chairman of the construction authority board, highlighted the importance of the extension for mobility during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The L.A. County Fairplex, where cricket matches will be held, is near the new La Verne station. This provides an opportunity for visitors and fans to easily access events.

Historical Context and Funding

The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority has been responsible for planning, designing, and constructing the A Line extensions since its creation in 1998. Originally known as the Gold Line, the name reflects the agency’s history.

Major construction on the 9.1-mile extension began in 2020, and the project was handed over to Metro earlier this year for testing and future operation. The extension was initially planned to include two additional stations in Claremont and Montclair. However, due to budget constraints, the plan was revised in 2019 to focus on completing the extension to Pomona first.

The $1.5 billion project was primarily funded through Measure M, a half-cent sales tax approved by L.A. County voters in 2016. Additional support came from unused funds from the Pasadena to Azusa extension, as well as state and local government dollars.

Future Uncertainties

Despite the progress, the future of the Montclair extension remains uncertain. In September, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority announced it would no longer fund the project after deciding not to have a seat on the governing board of the Construction Authority. The agency cited concerns about local control and rising costs.

Balian called the decision "unfortunate," noting that the structure had worked in other cities along the route. While the Montclair extension may not proceed, the Construction Authority is still aiming to build at least one additional station in Claremont. A design contract for this extension is expected to be awarded in November, with construction potentially starting in two years.

In the meantime, the authority will continue to seek alternative solutions from San Bernardino. The extension to Pomona marks a significant step forward, but the journey toward full realization of the original vision is ongoing.