The long-anticipated Metro A Line extension from Azusa to Pomona opens today, expanding Los Angeles County’s transit network. The new 9.1-mile stretch includes four stations in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and North Pomona, offering greater access to educational institutions, medical centers, and the Pomona Fairplex.
The A Line, formerly known as the Blue and Gold lines, now stretches nearly 58 miles from Long Beach to Pomona, making it one of the longest light rail lines in the world. Before the extension, the line already saw over 1.8 million boardings in August. Traveling the entire route from downtown Los Angeles to Pomona is expected to take about 64 minutes.
Construction on the $1.5 billion project began in 2020, focusing on relocating freight tracks, installing new light rail tracks, and building roadways and crosswalks. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority led the project, which was handed over to Metro earlier this year.
The extension marks the first local rail service to the San Gabriel Valley cities since 1951, when the Pacific Electric Railway ceased operations. Although the line was planned to extend further to Claremont and Montclair, financial challenges have stalled this progress. The San Bernardino County Transit Authority recently withdrew funding for the Montclair portion due to concerns over escalating costs and lack of local oversight.
Metro will celebrate today’s opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by transit officials, local leaders, and 2024 Olympians. The project is part of Metro’s initiatives for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, with the Pomona Fairplex set to host the Olympics’ Cricket competition.
Recent Comments