Construction of Phase 2A to Azusa

[snuffy]

BNSF is running "Xmas train" for less fortunate kids in City of Hope/Duarte area(also some other area in socal) since BNSF was Santa Fe. This year, I think it's gonna be the 19th Christmas train and likely to be the last Xmas train for the City of Hope.

Here's a video of BNSF Christmas train from 2009.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUqsvGLlF2Q

[metrocenter]

Just a reminder, the one and only public hearing for the Foothill Extension SEIR is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday 27 October) at 5 PM. It will be held at Arcadia City Hall (map).

All the relevant meeting info is here.

The SEIR (Supplemental EIR) will describe several changes to the initial segment (to Azusa) since the FEIR was approved several years ago. The biggest change is the maintenance facility, which has been relocated from Irwindale to Monrovia.

The public comment period for the SEIR continues until November 8. Approval of the SEIR is expected at the November Board meeting. As always, you can snail-mail or email your comments if you prefer. Send emails to [e-mail].

The monthly Foothill Authority Board meeting will follow, at 7 PM. (Wow, two meetings for the price of one!) Info is here.

[jdrcrasher]

^ Hopefully there wont' be much NIMBY troll activity.

Sept 2, 2010 12:21:41 GMT -8 metrocenter said:

I know Kiewit because they were involved (as Shea-Kiewit-Kenny) with the sinkhole in Hollywood, in the 1990s during construction of the Red Line.

Didn't Kiewitt also do the Blue Line?

[bobdavis]

Kiewit goes back to the 1880's. I'm not sure how much they had to do with the Hollywood Blvd. subway job (I thought that was Tutor-Saliba's project, but T-S may have done another section). When I was a lad, they had an equipment yard and office in Arcadia, near my home. This meant an assortment of low bed trucks bearing interesting machines going by our house in the 40's and 50's. They finally had to move when the 210 Freeway was built. As I recall, Kiewit had one of the major contractors for the original segment of the Gold Line (LA to Pasadena). And I already have tomorrow's meeting on my schedule, so expect a report.

[metrocenter]

On the Red Line project, Kiewit was replaced by Tutor Saliba, after their little issues with the sinkholes and the insufficient tunnel wall thicknesses. But then they seemed to do a fine on the Gold Line Phase 1 to Pasadena.

[metrocenter]

Well at 15 minutes, that was the shortest environmental review meeting I've ever attended. No controversy, everybody seems to agree on this project.

One lady, a resident at Mountain/Duarte on a fixed income, wanted assurances that she was going to be relocated properly. The mayor of Irwindale went on record opposing the M&O facility in Irwindale, thus ensuring that the Authority will choose the new Monrovia location instead.

[LAofAnaheim]

Where was the Bus Riders Union Claremont for Transit Justice?

claremont-for-transit-justice.webs.com/

[metrocenter]

^^ Not there. But this meeting was the SEIR specifically for the first phase to Azusa, which is already a done deal.

[bobdavis]

The public hearing was shorter than scheduled; the only comments "from the floor" were a representative from Irwindale, who was not in favor of having the maintenance facility there (and most likely it won't be), the Mayor of Monrovia, where the facility probably will be located, who didn't get very detailed, but sounded positive toward GLFE, and one homeowner who lives near the above-mentioned Mountain Ave. grade crossing and was concerned that some or all of her property might be taken. Right now, the Mountain Ave. intersection is "offset" north and south of Duarte Rd., and the plan is to make it diagonal to smooth traffic flow and provide a safer grade crossing. All in all, rather low key, and none of the "fireworks" that other observers have mentioned when reporting about meetings on the other side of downtown.

[Gokhan]

Our metrocenter (Joel C.) is quoted in this article.

Key Component of Gold Line Extension Poised to Be Erected in Monrovia

A maintenance yard needed for the Gold Line could create 200-300 new jobs in Monrovia.
By Nathan McIntire | October 27, 2010

A railroad maintenance yard crucial to the progression of the Gold Line Foothill Extension appears destined for Monrovia as long as a plan to build it there survives the environmental review process.

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority held a public hearing at Arcadia City Hall Wednesday to present its plans for the maintenance facility. The meeting lasted less than 30 minutes, with only two members of the public addressing the project.

Habib Balian, the chief executive officer of the construction authority, told the sparse crowd that his agency has identified three potential sites--two in Monrovia, one in Irwindale--where the rail yard could go. The facility must be completed before the second phase of the Gold Line can be extended to Azusa.

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said in an interview after the meeting that the city has a preliminary agreement in place with the construction authority to locate the maintenance facility in Monrovia.

"We have an agreement in principle right now," Lutz said.

The site--deemed "Option A" by the construction authority--would be 28 acres of land near Evergreen and Shamrock Avenues, according to Balian. The yard would serve as a repair station for about 84 electric rail cars, he said.

Lutz said city officials are amenable to locating the yard in Monrovia because no other city has expressed an interest in hosting it.

"No other city is even willing to discuss it at this point," Lutz said.

But Monrovia is willing to take it if it will expedite the Gold Line extension, Lutz said.

"The region will get the train--that's the biggest and most compelling reason," she said.

The yard would also bring 200 to 300 new jobs to the city, as well as allow for the progression of the city's massive Station Square development, a mixed-use transit center that will be build around the Gold Line.

The construction authority has completed an environmental impact report that determined the Monrovia site would be suitable for the yard, Balian said. The public has the opportunity to comment on the report until Nov.8.

Joel Covarrubias was one of two citizens to speak about the project during the Oct. 27 meeting. He loved the idea.

"The project is looking really good," Covarrubias said, who commutes to work in Monrovia. "I'm sure everybody will appreciate me getting off the street … and taking the train to work."

Another member of the public, Yolanda Gutierrez, of Duarte, said she was concerned construction of the train near her home would be noisy and inconvenient. But she plans to move away anyway, she said.

In late December, the construction authority's board will vote on where to locate the maintenance facility. If the Monrovia site is approved, the MTA could break ground on the project a few months after that, Lutz said.

The city owns more than 50 percent of the land located in a light industrial zone where the yard would go, but the MTA would be responsible for securing the rest. Lutz said business owners in that area have not protested about selling their property to make room for the site.

"To my knowledge, nobody is actually resistant," Lutz said.

If the yard soon finds a home in Monrovia or elsewhere, construction on the foothill extension itself would begin in July 2011 and would be scheduled for completion by 2014, Balian said.

[metrocenter]

Gotta love the out of context quote. Oh well, the spirit of it was right.

[metrocenter]

The Foothill Authority has decided to extend the public comment period on the SEIR another month, to December 9, 2010. See here.

I really don't see the reason for this. The changes to the project discussed in the SEIR are non-controversial. Maybe the Authority figured it might as well extend the comment period, since the other major prerequisite for the project (the agreement between Metro and BNSF) is still being negotiated.

The presentation from the public SEIR meeting is here.

[adamv]

I thought this was nice news:

www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16641967

The City Council unanimously approved a General Plan update that aims to make the future Metro Gold Line station the heart of a revitalized downtown.

The updated plan, a 25-year blueprint for land-use decisions, allows developers to build condos and apartments above stores around the future Gold Line station and along a stretch of Live Oak for the first time. It also allows for more commercial development there.

[metrocenter]

Residents Opposed to Gold Line Maintenance Yard
Now Keeping an Open Mind

The city believes it has allayed the concerns of many residents
who signed a letter opposing the construction
of the maintenance facility in Monrovia.

By Nathan McIntire, Monrovia Patch

A group of 51 residents wrote a letter to the city earlier this month to voice their opposition to a plan to build a Gold Line maintenance yard in south Monrovia, but many are changing their tune after meeting with city leaders last week.

Three sites--two in Monrovia and one in Irwindale--are being considered as potential locations for a maintenance facility that would service electric rail cars along the Gold Line Foothill Extension. The maintenance yard must be completed before the Gold Line can progress.

But residents living near the two proposed Monrovia sites near Evergreen and Shamrock Avenues wrote to the city on Nov. 9 and said they "strongly oppose" the facility because of the noise and traffic congestion it could bring to the neighborhood.

"Not only are you placing a white elephant in our community, the constant travel of the Metro train cars entering and exiting the service yard, the noise in conjunction with the increased traffic congestion with the 250-plus employees and the 24-hour operation of the facility is a true dissatisfaction to all residents of the city of Monrovia," the letter authored by Monrovista resident Jose Luis Diaz reads.

The city held a meeting with residents and representatives of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority last week in response to the letter. City Manager Scott Ochoa called the meeting a success, describing the response from residents as "cool, calm and rational."

"It was absolutely refreshing to see how thoughtful people were," Ochoa said.

Many residents feared that noise and traffic congestion would adversely affect the neighborhood, but Ochoa compared the yard to a similar one in El Segundo that is built right up against homes and condominiums. Ochoa said that facility is clean and quiet.

"It kind of belies the notion that this is some noisy, polluted ... type of facility," Ochoa said.

Metro Gold Line officials have offered to take residents on a tour of the El Segundo facility, and Diaz said in a phone interview Monday that he intends to reserve further judgment on the project until he sees that yard in action.

Dian Benson-Bell, another Monrovista resident who signed Diaz's letter, said she is keeping an open mind now as well.

"I'm still making my decision," Benson-Bell said. "I was concerned about the noise and pollution but I'm not sure any more. I'm doing investigating of my own."

Leona Williams, who lives on the same block as Benson-Bell, said she's completely changed her mind after learning more about the project.

"I think it's wonderful," she said.

Habib Balian, the chief executive officer of the construction authority, said his agency is aware of residents' concerns and believes it can take care of any disruptions the yard might cause to the community.

"I think they have pretty standard concerns about traffic and noise," Balian said. "We're pretty confident that we've worked with the city and identified everything that would be a problem for residents."

Sound walls and walls around the facility will help to dampen noise, Balian said.

The $120 million maintenance facility is currently in the environmental review process. Monrovia has emerged as the most likely destination for the yard because the city wants the project to be built as soon as possible to expedite the Gold Line.

The yard would also bring 200 to 300 new jobs to the city, as well as allow for the progression of the city's massive Station Square development, a mixed-use transit center that will be build around the Gold Line.

No other cities have been willing to house the maintenance facility, which would serve as a repair station for about 84 rail cars.

The city owns roughly half of the 28 acres that Metro Gold Line would need for the facility. The other half would have to be purchased by Metro or seized via eminent domain, Balian said.

The construction authority's board will vote on where to locate the maintenance facility in late December. If the Monrovia site is approved, construction on the site would likely begin in the summer of 2012, Balian said.

[jdrcrasher]

Oh great...here we go...

[metrocenter]

This may be why the Gold Line Authority added the extra month for public comment on the SEIR ... to work with these residents and calm them down. If what the article says is true, it seems to be working.

[roadtrainer]

;D When is the actual construction starting? Has it been delayed until the Rose Parade and the football games are over?

[metrocenter]

Dec 6, 2010 11:39:54 GMT -8 roadtrainer said:

;D When is the actual construction starting? Has it been delayed until the Rose Parade and the football games are over?

The project's Supplemental EIR will be approved this month by the Authority Board. Negotiations with BNSF over their use of the ROW are expected to be completed soon. Construction RFPs were put out in August, and contract bids are due in January, with selection of the winning bid in April.

Long story short: look for main project construction to begin in mid-2011.

The "Iconic Freeway Structure" (the bridge from the 210 freeway median to the ROW) is being handled by a separate project, in coordination with Caltrans. For this project, the contractor has already been chosen. Construction of this bridge will begin sooner than the main project, probably in early 2011.

[jdrcrasher]

I really don't like that Metro acted as if actual construction was starting in July 2010.

[LAofAnaheim]

Dec 6, 2010 14:53:15 GMT -8 jdrcrasher said:

I really don't like that Metro acted as if actual construction was starting in July 2010.

You can't blame Metro on this...they wanted to wait until 2013/14. It was the SGV politicians who pushed hard and rushed the first "groundbreaking" photo in July.

Plus, this is not uncommon. The Expo Authority somewhat did the same in 2006 for Expo Line, when it was really in 2007 that hard construction really started. Anything for a photo-op!

[metrocenter]

Dec 6, 2010 15:06:46 GMT -8 LAofAnaheim said:

Dec 6, 2010 14:53:15 GMT -8 jdrcrasher said:

I really don't like that Metro acted as if actual construction was starting in July 2010.

You can't blame Metro on this...they wanted to wait until 2013/14. It was the SGV politicians who pushed hard and rushed the first "groundbreaking" photo in July.

Plus, this is not uncommon. The Expo Authority somewhat did the same in 2006 for Expo Line, when it was really in 2007 that hard construction really started. Anything for a photo-op!

JDR, I want to add to LAofAnaheim's comments, for clarity. The line is being constructed and supervised by the Foothill Gold Line Authority, not Metro. Metro is providing access to funding, but it is not involved with the construction process and did not organize the groundbreaking.

[rubbertoe]

If I remember correctly, the last actual date that I saw reported for the IBS was April of 2010. They are retesting soil samples now that is apparently feeding into the design of the bridge, that is the cause of the delay. I was looking through some schedules on the site today in the project management plan, and saw that the IBS will be done by July of 2012, which if they start in April will be only 16 months:



I think the reason they had the groundbreaking early was more political than anything else. They wanted to be the first Measure R project to start, and it also gets the community fired up and may have even helped get the funding agreement in place whereby Metro fronted the money to them via a bond sale versus requiring the construction authority to find a contractor who could front the money to do the work and be paid back later per the Measure R schedule. If memory serves me correctly, the bond sale took place fairly recently, last couple weeks.

[metrocenter]

Dec 6, 2010 18:38:11 GMT -8 rubbertoe said:

If I remember correctly, the last actual date that I saw reported for the IBS was April of 2010. They are retesting soil samples now that is apparently feeding into the design of the bridge, that is the cause of the delay. I was looking through some schedules on the site today in the project management plan, and saw that the IBS will be done by July of 2012, which if they start in April will be only 16 months

I'll be very happy if Skanska USA is able to avoid delays and complete the bridge in that timeframe.

Dec 6, 2010 18:38:11 GMT -8 rubbertoe said:

I think the reason they had the groundbreaking early was more political than anything else. They wanted to be the first Measure R project to start, and it also gets the community fired up and may have even helped get the funding agreement in place whereby Metro fronted the money to them via a bond sale versus requiring the construction authority to find a contractor who could front the money to do the work and be paid back later per the Measure R schedule. If memory serves me correctly, the bond sale took place fairly recently, last couple weeks.

The politics are the result of ongoing battles between Metro and the Gold Line Authority. This is the same authority that completed the original Gold Line to Pasadena in 2003. Metro has long held a grudge that construction of the Gold Line was taken away from them, and the Authority has for years been very wary of Metro having any control over the project. The SGV pols see Metro as dominated by the City of Los Angeles, and unresponsive to the needs of the San Gabriel Valley. The protracted negotiations on the master cooperative/funding agreement was the latest battle for power and control over this project.

So it's no surprise to me that the groundbreaking took place in June, possibly 9-12 months before actual construction. The groundbreaking was just three months after master agreement was finalized. It seemed to me the groundbreaking was a victory lap for SGV politicians wanting to bring attention to this project which was finally moving forward.

[metrocenter]

The SEIR will not be ready for approval until late January. The "Program Management Consultant" is going to take until early January to respond to all public comments. (The comment period for the Phase 2A SEIR was originally supposed to end on 8 November 2010, but was extended to 9 December 2010.)

Reference: December status report, page 8.

[matthewb]

If this is under construction, why isn't it on the Metro "under construction" map?

[metrocenter]

Dec 13, 2010 13:00:26 GMT -8 matthewb said:

If this is under construction, why isn't it on the Metro "under construction" map?

This project is in no sense "under construction" at this time, except for the groundbreaking that took place in June. The earliest construction will begin is in Q1 2011, when Skanska USA will begin construction on the "Iconic Freeway Structure" (aka "Iconic Bridge Structure").

[bobdavis]

Having waited nearly 60 years for electric rail service to return to the Monrovia-Duarte area, I can stand a few more months. I presume some of the months will be spent on designing the project to avoid the "Why is there never enough time to do the job right, but alway time to do it over?" situation. I've forgotten the exact time sequence, but several years ago, San Francisco Muni put up a fence and a sign announcing their new Metro East maintenance facility (off the "T" line), and there was nothing but a vacant site for two or three years. (It is in service now)

[jdrcrasher]

It really is ridiculous that it takes this long to start building a line.

[metrocenter]

The Construction Authority must coordinate with and get approvals from a lot of entities - in this case: Metro, FTA, PUC, SCRRA, Caltrans, the Army Corps of Engineers, all of the local city governments, the local utilities, the general contractors, and the public.

Once all of the approvals have come through and the contractor has been selected, the contractor still has to finalize the design before construction can begin.

Start of construction is scheduled for mid-2011. Considering all that still has to be done, I think they're working on a pretty aggressive schedule.

[roadtrainer]

Will there be a new bridge crossing the San Gabriel river?