On the heels of last week’s completion of all light rail track installation for the Foothill Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (Construction Authority) announced Oct. 24 that the agency has achieved another major milestone for the project – completion of all 14 at-grade (or street-level) crossings for the 11.5-mile light rail extension. The final grade crossing work, at Mountain Ave, was completed this week – three months ahead of schedule.
Work began on the grade crossings in February 2013, and required long-term closures of each street. Each grade crossing received upgrades to underground utilities, the roadway, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, in addition to installation of light rail track, signals, and communications and safety equipment.
“Completing the at-grade crossings is an important milestone for the project, keeping us on time and on budget,” stated Construction Authority CEO Habib F. Balian. “We are now less than a year from turning the project over to Metro, and having the crossings complete means that most of the risk on the project is behind us.”
Construction took place at the following at-grade crossings:
- First Ave and Santa Clara St, Arcadia
- Mayflower Ave, Monrovia
- Magnolia Ave, Monrovia
- Myrtle Ave, Monrovia
- California Ave, Monrovia
- Mountain Ave, Monrovia/Duarte
- Buena Vista Ave, Duarte
- Highland Ave, Duarte
- Virginia Ave, Azusa
- San Gabriel Ave, Azusa
- Azusa Ave, Azusa
- Alameda Ave, Azusa
- Dalton Ave, Azusa
- Pasadena Ave, Azusa
The Construction Authority implemented targeted public outreach campaigns for each crossing that included door-to-door walks, text message noticing, e-alerts, interactive construction map updates, online and print advertisements in regional news publications; public banners and signs; and presentations to schools and community groups. To assist residents and businesses, the Construction Authority also sponsored shuttle service when pedestrian access was unavailable, advertisements for local businesses, among other measures.
“We appreciate the community’s patience, as well as the cooperation of the corridor cities and their staffs, as we built these crossings out,” added Balian. “This work was certainly very impactful on the community, and everyone was very understanding."
