Meeting_Body
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
MAY 20, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: FOOTHILL GOLD LINE EXTENSION PHASE 2B
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE execution of Amendment No. 1 to the Master Cooperative Agreement (MCA) between the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority ("Authority") and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("LACMTA") to reflect updates to key definitions and terms to ensure alignment with the revised scope and operational requirements for the Metro Gold Line Phase 2B project (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
The Authority is responsible for the design and construction of the Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2B Project ("Project”), a proposed extension of the Metro A Line from Pomona to Claremont. Upon completion of the Project, the Construction Authority hands over the Project to LACMTA to operate and maintain. Responsibilities and guidelines for allocation of the funds and the specific commitments by the Authority and LACMTA are established by a Funding Agreement and a Master Cooperative Agreement (MCA) between the two agencies.
An amendment to the MCA between the two agencies is required to document updates to the contracting methodology used by the Authority, from Design-Build (DB) to Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) to ensure the successful implementation of Phase 2B. This amendment includes updates to defined terms, contracting approach, responsibilities for System Integration Testing (SIT-2), inclusion of Work Packages and right to review, Security and Bonding protections and insurance requirements.
Background
BACKGROUND
Los Angeles County voters overwhelmingly approved Measures R (2008) and M (2016) to provide a significant source of local funding to support the delivery of a transformative, multimodal set of transportation projects to improve mobility, decrease air pollution, and increase the quality of life for all 10 million county residents. These local sales tax measures were designed to provide a local match to leverage significant state and federal funds to fully fund and implement the priority projects found in their respective expenditure plans.
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2B project extends 11.4 miles from Glendora to Claremont and includes five stations. The overall Phase 2B project is divided into two sections: Phase 2B1 extends from Glendora to Pomona, and Phase 2B2 extends from Pomona to Claremont. The Project includes five stations and parking facilities in cities along the alignment.
An MCA between LACMTA and the Authority was executed on July 1, 2017, to govern the development and construction of the Metro Gold Line Extension from Glendora to Claremont (Phase 2B). The MCA specifies the procedures that the Authority and LACMTA will follow in implementing their respective roles and responsibilities in the Design, Construction, testing and Turnback of the Project.
At its October 2024 meeting, the Board approved the execution of a fourth amendment to the Foothill Extension 2B Funding Agreement between LACMTA and the Authority that reflects the allocation of $798M of the California State Transportation Agency (“CalSTA”) Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (“TIRCP”) formula funding authorized by Senate Bill 125. At its January 2026 meeting, the Board approved the programming of $95 million for FY26 through FY28 to advance design and procurement activities for Phase 2B2.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Construction on the Glendora to Pomona segment (Phase 2B1) of the Project started in 2017. This segment is approximately 9.1 miles and includes 4 stations: Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona. The Authority achieved substantial completion on Phase 2B1 segment on January 3, 2025 and the line opened to the public on September 19, 2026. With the completion of Phase 2B1 project close out, staff will perform a final accounting for Phase 2B1. Any surplus/remaining funds were to be returned to the SGVCOG Subregional Equity Program, and as requested by the SGVCOG, can be carried over to the next phase of the Project (Phase 2B2) with Metro Board approval. Staff will make adjustments to the LOP, as needed for Phases 2B1 accordingly and report back to the Board, The Authority is ready to start the next phase of the Project.
Amendment No. 1 to the Master Cooperative Agreement (MCA) (Attachment A) incorporates key updates which have been agreed upon to support the next phase of work (Phase 2B2). This includes the following key items:
1. Transition from Design-Build to CMAR for Phase 2B2
Updates to the definitions and the project structure to allow separate design and construction contracts for Phase 2B2 under CMAR. It also introduces “Work Packages” to enable phased construction authorization consistent with CMAR delivery. This establishes the contractual foundation for CMAR procurement and construction of Phase 2B2.
2. Preservation of LACMTA Oversight Authority
Grants LACMTA the right to review and comment on CMAR Work Packages that materially differ from approved contract documents or could affect operations. This maintains LACMTA operational and technical oversight while supporting Construction Authority schedule control.
3. Clarification of Testing and Operational Responsibilities
Refines responsibility for System Integration Testing (SIT-2) to LACMTA. Contractor is responsible only for support and correction of issues within their scope. LACMTA assumes responsibility for issues outside contractor scope.
4. Limits on Punch List Authority
Confirms LACMTA may add punch list items only up to Substantial Completion for the construction contract contingent on having no design or construction outstanding. This prevents late-stage scope expansion once substantive work is complete.
5. Security and Bonding Protections
Requires that any replacement performance bond or alternate security for CMAR Work Packages must be at least 10% of the Work Package value during warranty and subject to LACMTA review and approval. This preserves LACMTA’s financial protection during warranty periods.
6. Updated Insurance Framework
Aligns insurance provisions with CMAR delivery and project phasing. LACMTA Risk Management has reviewed and accepted the revised insurance language.
A copy of the MCA Amendment 1 is included as Attachment A.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This action has no safety impact on the Foothill Gold Line Extension 2B Project.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact on Metro or the Foothill Gold Line Extension 2B Project as a result of this action.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
By having affordable transportation options, the population along the project corridor can access the job opportunities within the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County and beyond. The Project will increase access for EFCs along the corridor that use the Metro transit system to access housing, jobs, educational, medical and entertainment needs. There are no anticipated equity impacts related to the amendment to the Master Cooperation Agreement.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to LACMTA’s significant investment in rail and bus transit. LACMTA’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
This amendment to the Master Cooperative Agreement is a crucial administrative step to document updates to the roles and responsibilities, evolving scope of the project, and necessary clarifications to ensure implementation of Phase 2B. The amendment supports the timely delivery of the project, which will offer an alternative to driving for residents and commuters once the rail line is operational. The expansion of transit service will ultimately help reduce VMT by providing more opportunities for transit-oriented travel.
The Project would improve mobility and access within the Project corridor by providing fast, convenient, and reliable transit service. Travel times are anticipated to be approximately 18-19 minutes between the APU/Citrus College station and the Montclair station. The Project would attract 28,149 daily passengers in its opening year alone, divert 20 percent of vehicle trips from local freeways and arterial streets, reduce 146,700 average daily vehicle miles
traveled (VMT) in its opening year, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,038,441 MTCO2e over the life of the Project.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from the highway performance monitoring system data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This action supports all five of LACMTA’s Strategic Plan Goals:
1. Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling;
2. Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system;
3. Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity;
4. Transform LA County through regional collaboration and national leadership; and
5. Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may decide to forego amending the MCA. Staff recommendation is to proceed with the Amendment in order to assure clarity in contract definitions, effective management of Phase 2B’s design and construction related to CMAR contract principles, maintain LACMTA’s oversight authority, clarification on responsibility for SIT-2 testing, limiting punch list activities post-Substantial Completion, revising the Securities and Bonding Protections and Insurances ensuring smoother integration and timely completion of the project in alignment with LACMTA’s strategic goals.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, the Master Cooperative Agreement Amendment 1 will be circulated for execution.
Attachments
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - Metro-GL MCA Amendment
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Kavita Mehta, Executive Officer, Program Management (213) 922-4921
Sameh Ghaly, Deputy Chief Program Management Officer (213) 418-3369
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Tim Lindholm, Chief Program Management Officer (213) 922-7297
