Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 6, 2018
Preamble
Motion by:
SOLIS, FASANA, GARCETTI, NAJARIAN & BARGER
The Foothill Gold Line extension from Azusa to Claremont is the first Measure M project to break ground. This Foothill Extension has unique opportunities for our county, and its completion will afford our region significant benefits. It is estimated that during construction alone, the project will generate 17,000 jobs and more than $2.6 billion in economic output locally. The line has already begun to generate growth around the future stations and has unprecedented opportunity for significantly more growth through envisioned transit-oriented developments that can afford tens of thousands of desperately-needed housing units within a half-mile of the future stations. Additionally, with the extension's future connections to two dozen more colleges and universities, the Pomona Fairplex, the Inland Empire and more, it is anticipated that the line will attract more than 28,000 daily passengers in its opening year. This will divert 20% of vehicle trips from local freeways and streets, reduce 146,700 vehicle miles traveled, and provide significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
However, current economic and market conditions have resulted in the project needing hundreds of millions of dollars over the project estimate. The funding gap was identified following receipt of bid proposals from four highly-qualified teams competing for the design-build contract. As a result, the completion of the Foothill Extension to Claremont is in jeopardy and action must be taken.
The project was identified by the Metro Board as one of two first priority projects in 2009, when projects promoting regional rationality and equity were approved in the Long Range Transportation Plan. The project was promised to county voters twice - in 2008 and in 2016 with Measures R and M, and is one of the twenty-eight by 2028.
The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority h...
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