Exploring the Gold Line Foothill Extension

On Friday, April 19, members of USC ITE got the privilege of getting a behind the scenes look at the new Metro A Line Foothill Extension in Glendora. This project, which is projected to open in early 2025, has recently been marketed as the “Gold Line Foothill Extension,” (EXTENSION) a nod to when the Metro A (Blue) Line used to be known as the Gold Line. The project is an extension of the current A Line, which stretches from Long Beach through Downtown LA and Union Station to its terminus at Azusa Pacific University (APU). EXTENSION will bring passenger service along the former Burlington Northern & Santa Fe (BNSF) Pasadena Subdivision through cities such as Glendora, La Verne, San Dimas, eventually ending at the Montclair Transit Center. 

After the presentation, we got a look of the under-construction parking lot, which is set to accommodate over 300 cars. This space will also provide for an underground tunnel through which travelers can safely access the station platform from their cars. We were also introduced to the infrastructure improvements behind the new rail crossing signals and even got to see them in action as a rail-road vehicle crossed the intersection. 

Lastly, we had the chance to walk over the platform for the future Glendora station. He noted that when finished, the station will include three tracks - two for A Line trains and one thru track not adjacent to the platform, for freight trains (which are rare but nevertheless necessary). On the platform, we were shown various utilities currently being installed, along with designated spaces for other infrastructure, such as ticket machines, turnstiles, and seating benches. We also met a representative from the construction company responsible for building along the EXTENSION, who told us about his experiences with this and other related projects. 

Overall, USC ITE enjoyed having the chance to witness future transportation development in the works and would like to thank everyone from the Foothill Gold Line agency who made this visit possible. We look forward to riding the Metro A Line extension once it finishes!