Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis released the following statement after the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments last night approved a motion allocating $126 million in Measure M subregional equity program funds towards construction of the Gold Line Foothill Extension to Pomona:
“I want to thank the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for unanimously approving $126 million towards the funding gap of the Gold Line Foothill Extension:
Alhambra: David Mejia
Arcadia: Peter Amundson
Azusa: Uriel Macias
Baldwin Park: Monica Garcia
Claremont: Ed Reece
Covina: Victor Linares
Diamond Bar: Nancy Lyons
Duarte: John Fasana
El Monte: Victoria Martinez Muela
Glendora: Michael Allawos
Industry: Cory Moss
Irwindale: Albert Ambriz
La Puente: Charlie Klinakis
La Verne: Tim Hepburn
Monrovia: Becky Shevlin
Monterey Park: Peter Chan
Pomona: Tim Sandoval
San Dimas: Denis Bertone
Sierra Madre: Rachelle Arizmendi
South Pasadena: Michael Cacciotti
Temple City: Cynthia Sternquist
Walnut: Allen Wu
West Covina: Tony Wu
San Gabriel Valley Water Districts: Carlos Goytia
This is a crucial project for not only our residents in the San Gabriel Valley, but for all of Southern California. This project is a linchpin in the San Gabriel Valley’s transit network.
Metro has secured almost $300 million in state funding for this project. But we all recognize that the extension must go to Pomona, Claremont, and beyond to Montclair. That’s why last December I authored a motion at Metro to help the Gold Line Authority close the funding gap for the Foothill Extension and make Pomona the first stop for the project. With that motion, the Metro Board reaffirmed this project as a first priority for Metro to deliver, and we have been working tirelessly towards that goal since then.
Despite our efforts at Metro, this project still had a $126 million funding gap to build the line to Pomona. But last night, the SGV COG unanimously authorized this essential funding.
Because of the SGV COG’s action, we avoid additional delays and higher costs, and we will bring billions of dollars in local development and investment that our communities need today.
I want to thank the SGV COG again for this influx of funds and the trust that they have placed in Metro and the Gold Line Construction Authority to deliver this project. I will work to ensure at Metro that these funds are the last spent on this project and that any unspent funds from the SGV COG would be returned to the COG for other much-needed projects. I also will make sure that Metro will follow through on its commitment to working with the SGV COG to explore funding options for these other projects within the subregion.
This is a great day for transit, commuters, and the environment.”
