The view from the cab of the Gold Line test train westbound into Downtown Azusa Station. All photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.xxx
Today, Metro hosted its first press preview for journalists to ride the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension. The 12-mile project includes 6 new stations. It will open on March 5th.
Foothill Gold Line Extension map via MetroThe 12-mile Foothill Gold Line Extension will open March 5, 2016. Image via Metro
Overall the ride was smooth. The train departed Pasadena's Sierra Madre Station, stopped very briefly at the intermediate five stations, but did not open doors until it arrived just 20 minutes later at the Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College Station at the eastern edge of Azusa.
After the jump, find a photo and video tour of the Foothill Extension.
Approaching the Tongva basket bridge over the 210 Freewayxxx
Arcadia Stationxxx
Gold Line train arriving at Monrovia Station
Irwindale Stationxxx
Gold Line train ride through Azusa
The terminus station of the initial phase of the Foothill Extension is the Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College Stationxxx
Metro CEO Phil Washington interviewed at the APU/Citrus stationxxx
Industrial brewery in Irwindale viewed from the Gold Linexxx
There are a number of historic station buildings visible from the train. This is the old Monrovia station building.xxx
Gold Line train returning westbound through San Gabriel Valley
The 210 Freeway bridge viewed from the train cabxxx
The new Kinkysharyo light rail cars have video monitors that display upcoming station stopsThe new Kinkysharyo rail cars have video monitors that display upcoming station stops
The grand opening for the new Foothill Extension will take place on March 5. The passenger service timetable [PDF] (link updated 2/18) has been posted online. For a tour of the then-under-construction Gold Line Extension, see the 2014 SBLA series of articles on the rail line, transit-adjacent development, bridges, and maintenance yards.
Artesia is not some kind of bike paradise (yet), but the city is already surpassing its surrounding neighbors with new bike lanes, green pavement treatments, a new bike path, and more on the way
Literal "not in my backyard" neighbor opposition hampered the creation of the E/Expo Line light rail, and the current push to close the E Line bike path gap