Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority as it celebrates ten years of service and commitment to the community. Since the Construction…
Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority as it celebrates ten years of service and commitment to the community. Since the Construction Authority was established by the California State Legislature to design and construct the Pasadena Metro Gold Line, it has completed 13.7 miles of light rail, which averages 24,000 daily weekday boardings.
One decade ago, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, faced with serious budgetary problems, delayed the construction of the light-rail line to Pasadena. Senate Bill 1847 was introduced to create the Construction Authority and finish the work that had already been started on the new rail line. The newly created Construction Authority was not only able to complete the project on time but was also able to build it under budget.
Today, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority is continuing its work in connecting downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. Funding has been secured to extend the line to the city of Azusa and plans are in place to continue the Gold Line to Montclair and Ontario International Airport. The success of the Gold Line is a testament of the collaborate efforts between the staff of the Construction Authority and the elected officials, civic leaders, and residents of the surrounding communities.
The Gold Line not only provides a reliable and efficient source of transportation to residents of the greater Los Angeles region, it also alleviates traffic and is a part of our fight to reduce pollution. The congestion on the Gold Line corridor highways has continued to increase as the Inland Empire grows in population. As we work to find solutions to solve our traffic congestion dilemma, extending the Gold Line into our eastern cities is clearly part of the answer.
It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority on its ten years of success. I am proud of the role I have played in helping the Gold Line become the pride of the San Gabriel Valley and I wish it continued success!
