Gold Line takes first step in approving…
Gold Line takes first step in approving construction for Glendora-to-Montclair extension
Photo by Walt Mancini/SCNG
Foothill Gold Line train passes through Highland Avenue intersection near the Duarte Station Monday, Feb.. 9, 2015. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News)
By Steve Scauzillo | sscauzillo@scng.com | San Gabriel Valley Tribune
PUBLISHED: September 27, 2017 at 9:33 p.m. | UPDATED: September 28, 2017 at 10:26 a.m.
The Gold Line Construction Authority board on Wednesday moved ahead with a 12.3-mile extension of the popular light-rail line by awarding the first contract for the project despite unresolved design disputes that could delay completion.
Bell Gardens-based infrastructure contractor W.A. Rasic Construction Co. will relocate the underground utilities along the route for an amount not to exceed $2.7 million. The company was chosen over four others in a competitive bidding process.
The job includes relocating existing sewer and water lines that cross the rail right-of-way and once completed, allows for the laying of light-rail track and overhead electric power lines.
That work — the bulk of construction — will be outlined in a second contract that will go to bid in the spring of 2018 and awarded in October 2018. The $1.5 billion project extends the popular Los Angeles-to-Azusa light-rail line farther east, from Glendora to Montclair, and is scheduled for completion in early 2026.
The Construction Authority is concerned about finalizing the design-build contract because of a slew of eleventh hour changes requested by Metrolink, the regional commuter rail service that operates large-sized trains within the same right-of-way. The path is also shared by BNSF, a freight train operator.
Metrolink requested four to six additional train bridges that would separate the light-rail train from the street level, something that would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and would take another two years of study, design and engineering, stretching a nine-year project to 11 years.
The six-county commuter rail entity is also asking to be paid $2.7 million to do an extensive review of the already-completed design of the project.
A report presented to the board Wednesday by CEO Habib Balian calls out Metrolink as an uncooperative and an unreliable partner in the massive project. For example, Balian's report to the Authority board says Metrolink originally signed off on the Authority's design for certain train bridges (known as grade separations) and street level crossings — and then rescinded the agreements.
Without a cooperative Metrolink, the project "could encounter material delays, delay-related cost overruns, as well as design and construction costs that would not otherwise have been incurred …, " according to the report under a section entitled "Responsibility for Design Review/Project Risk.
Metrolink's Chairman Andrew Kotyuk said in an email the commuter rail's staff "raised key issues that are critical to our safe and efficient coexistence (with the Metro Gold Line)." He said because Metrolink's trains will run side-by-side with Gold Line, they want to make sure that safety and traffic issues are addressed.
"The history of working with them (Metrolink) over the last couple of years has not been good," Balian told the board. The board received the report but did not comment.
Besides Metrolink, the cities of Pomona and San Dimas are also worried about proposed train bridges. Representatives from both cities told the board these concrete structures would be aesthetically unappealing.
"The larger concern for us is the construction of a new bridge over the Bonita/Cataract intersection. What you will see is a 28-foot high wall to support the bridge as you enter downtown — and it will be the only thing you will see," San Dimas Assistant City Manager Larry Stevens told the board.
Bridges in San Dimas and in Pomona were added to the plans by the Construction Authority as a safety measure by order of the California Public Utilities Commission. The two bridges add $50,000 to the project, Balian reported.
The 12.3-mile extension would include six stations: Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair. .
The 12.3-mile extension of the Gold Line would run through six cities.
Foothill Cities
Metrolink
Steve Scauzillo | Reporter
Steve Scauzillo has been a journalist for more than 40 years, has worked as a beat reporter, assistant city editor, Opinion Pages Editor, general assignment and transportation/environment writer. Steve loves to explore the outdoors by hiking the Angeles National Forest and is an amateur bird watcher. Steve is on the board of the San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center in Arcadia and a member of Rose City Church in Pasadena. He's working on a screenplay in his spare time.
sscauzillo@scng.com
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