Foothill Gold Line LRT reaches substantial completion on Pasadena to Azusa segment

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority and its contractor marked the substantial completion of the Pasadena, Calif., to Azusa, Calif., segment. The construction authority said the $1-billion project is on budget and on time with passenger service expected to begin in the spring of 2016.

 

Designed and constructed by Foothill Transit Constructors, a joint venture of Kiewit and Parsons, the rail line will now undergo testing and pre-revenue service. The $515-million alignment contract included construction of 11.5 miles of light rail, 24 bridges, 14 at-grade rail crossings, six new stations and a 24-acre operations campus.

“The Foothill Gold Line was built on time and on budget with an exceptional safety record thanks to a strong collaboration with Kiewit, Parsons and the corridor cities,” said Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority Chief Executive Officer Habib Balian. “The line is a critical asset for the community and is the impetus behind meaningful new development in the area.”

Since breaking ground in 2011, the construction team said it has navigated several challenging aspects of the project, including the installation of the 700-foot San Gabriel River Bridge and the relocation of a four-mile active rail corridor with two freight bridges that had to be relocated within a 72-hour time frame.

“Our team is incredibly ambitious and eager to tackle complex projects, especially when we had such a solid partnership with Parsons and the Construction Authority,” said Matt Scott, vice president and district manager for Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. “We are honored to have been a part of this project and the positive, long-term impact it will have on the area.”

The main building of the Foothill Gold Line Operations Campus in Monrovia, Calif. is the first rail maintenance facility constructed for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. Approximately 35 percent more water and energy efficient than other similar facilities. To reach these environmental standards, the team installed a 178.5 Kilowatt solar panel array, LED lighting, a storm water collection system and drought-tolerant landscaping. The team also adopted a construction waste mitigation and recycling program. In total, 50 percent of the materials used to construct the building came from recycled sources.

The Foothill Gold Line Operations Campus will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, housing up to 84 light-rail vehicles. It will contain offices and training facilities for operations and maintenance staff, as well as accommodations for light-rail vehicle inspection and maintenance services.

 

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