Metro Goldline Construction Authority Releases Pasadena Promotional Video

To build support for the Metro Goldline project—a massive public transit expansion extending the Gold Line from East LA, through Pasadena and on to the Ontaria Airport outside Rancho Cucamonga—project officials released the first in a series of promotional videos this month promoting the various landmarks riders are likely to see out their windows.

The Foothill Extension Construction Authority, created in 1998 by the California State Legislature to improve transit in Los Angeles, has been publishing updates, photos and other promotional materials to show off the extension projects running through the LA area. The video tour, which tracks landmarks along the in-progress section of the Goldline between Pasadena and Azusa, is the first of a two-part series introducing potential riders to these new transit assets as they near completion.

Along with the transit construction, the Foothill Extension Construction Authority is also working on bike lanes, trolley service and footpaths to connect the various transit assets together, increasing access to sporting events, shopping centers and restaurants along the way.

While the transit project is just now nearing the finish line, a more dedicated public transit system has been in the works since the late 90's and has been seriously pushed through the California legislature since funding became available in 2009. And environmental activists say its not a moment too soon. LA's addiction to the car has been well documented. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, which tracks traffic patterns in major metropolitan areas, has LA ranking first year after year in total and per-capita congestion delays.

By promoting the new Goldline project with videos and other information, organizers hope they can change that narrative, reducing air pollution, worker productivity and road rage in the process.

The Metro Goldline Gets Support from Member of Congress

The future of the Metro Goldline rail continues to be uncertain following the latest back and forth between members of the United States Congress and the MTA Executive Management Committee. Three members of Congress- Judy Chu, Adam Schiff, Grace Napolitano- recently sent a letter to the MTA regarding Measure R, a half-cent tax currently being collected to fund the Foothill Extension to Claremont.

However, unless action is taken, the revenues currently being collected will fall short and the completion of the Goldline rail will be up in the air. Currently, the MTA has allocated $735 million of the funds collected through Measure R towards the Claremont extension. However, there would still be an additional $764 million needed in order to complete a regional rail system.

Now the issue is persuading the MTA to put an issue on the ballot this year allowing Measure R to be permanent (the current measure was voted in by the public) and then using the now permanent revenue source to fund the completion of the Goldline project. However, the MTA thus far has been resistant to allocating more funds to the regional rail project. The MTA is responsible for administering the funding for all the rail projects in California and is in the unenviable position of having to use ever diminishing federal resources to tackle an overwhelming amount of projects. The MTA has already hinted that instead of allowing more federal resources to go to the Goldline rail project, they will instead focus on Los Angeles-based subway projects.