Metro CEO Phil Washington speaking at the standing-room only Azusa Downtown Station and APU/Citrus College Station dedication ceremonies last Satursday. Photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.
Over a thousand people turned out in the September heat to attend last Saturday's dedication celebration for two new Foothill Gold Line extension stations: Downtown Azusa and Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College. Though actual train service is anticipated to start in 2016, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority has been celebrating concluding station and rail line construction, as many speakers repeated, "on time and on budget." The new extension extends 11.5 miles from Pasadena to Azusa.
Federal, county, and municpal elected officials pledged to work together to continue to extend the Gold Line. Proponents want to extend the line to Montclair, and further to Ontario Airport.
Metro CEO Phil Washington gave some indication of the anticipated schedule for the line opening, stating that Metro will take control of the facilities this Wednesday, September 23, and will then begin extensive testing. Washington anticipated that roughly 30 days later, Metro will announce the opening date for the Foothill Gold Line Extension. Barring any unforeseen construction issues that may become apparent during testing, the opening is anticipated to be Spring, 2016. There are still a lot of moving pieces, but both the new Gold Line and Expo Line extensions potentially face somewhat infrequent (12-minute headways) initial service due to a short supply of light rail cars, with more frequent service likely commencing in late 2016, as new cars become available.
Among the ways to keep cool were these "Next Stop Azusa" fans.
Azusa Pacific's historic drive-in theater marquee announced the nearby dedication ceremonies
The Azusa High School Aztecs flag team and marching band capped off the ceremonies.
Here is what the Azusa Downtown Station looks like. It's located on Azusa Avenue, between 9th Street and Foothill Boulevard.
Here is the Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College Station. It's located east of Palm Drive at 9th Street.
L.A. County needs to embrace physically-protected bikeways, robust traffic calming around schools, and similarly transformative, safety-focused projects