The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) Board reaffirmed its commitment to complete the Foothill Gold Line to Claremont and Montclair as their first priority for any current or future state funding opportunities, including state greenhouse gas reduction grant funding and state funds that will be made available in the next two budget cycles as a result of SB198 passing in 2022. The board’s actions follow the project’s recent unsuccessful grant request to the state and was part of a follow-up report to the board with a $798 million funding plan. The board also directed staff to advocate for full funding of SB198 and seek other opportunities to help fill the project’s funding gap in LA County. The portion of the project in San Bernardino County is now fully funded.
The board action was led by L.A. Metro and Foothill Gold Line Board Member Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval and L.A. Metro Directors and Los Angeles County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis. L.A. Metro Chair and Glendale Council Member Ara Najarian was also part of the successful motion.
In the coming weeks, the focus on the project will be advocating in Sacramento for full funding of SB198. Foothill Gold Line Construction CEO Habib F. Balian noted completing the project is getting more expensive each year it is not under construction, but if funding can be secured by the state, the project will be finished in five years.
