Construction Authority Releases Draft Environmental Impact Report for Proposed Light Rail Extension from Azusa to Montclair Project

Two public meetings are scheduled to receive comments

MONROVIA, Calif., Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Construction Authority) has released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension light rail extension from Azusa to Montclair. The environmental review evaluates the impacts of the proposed 12.3-mile light rail extension, which includes six new stations (Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair) and two new grade-separated crossings (at Lone Hill in Glendora and Towne Avenue in Pomona). The proposed extension is planned to run mostly at street level and parking is planned at each station.

"This is an important next step in our effort to extend light rail deeper into the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys," said Doug Tessitor , Chairman of the Construction Authority board of directors. "We encourage the public to review the draft document and provide comments before the October 5 close of the comment period."

The Draft EIR evaluates how the light rail extension will impact a number of environmental conditions. It proposes mitigation measures to lessen impacts where possible, and concludes that a number of impacts cannot be mitigated to a less than significant level. The Draft EIR is available for review at the Construction Authority's offices and on the Authority's website at www.foothillextension.org. Hard copies are also available at public libraries in the corridor cities (Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont and Montclair), and at the Pomona Planning Department while their library is temporarily closed.

The Construction Authority will be hosting two public meetings to receive comments on the Draft EIR:

"Over the next several years, the Construction Authority will continue to ready the Foothill Extension from Azusa to Montclair," added Tessitor. "Clearing the project environmentally is a requirement before we can seek the funding needed to build the line."

The public is encouraged to review the Draft EIR and provide comments by the close of the comment period on October 5, 2012. Comments on environmental issues raised in the Draft EIR, along with the document's accuracy and completeness must be received by 5:00 p.m. on October 5 to the Construction Authority:

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority
ATTN: Lisa Levy Buch , Director of Public Affairs
406 East Huntington Drive, Suite 202, Monrovia, California 91016
Fax Number: 626-471-9048 or 626-471-9049
Email: llevybuch@foothillextension.org

Upon completion of the public review period, a Final EIR will be prepared to include any comments received on the Draft EIR, as well as any responses to those comments. The Final EIR will also include any revisions to the Draft EIR that are necessary to address issues raised during the comment period.  

About the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension - The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension is a 24-mile extension of the Metro Gold Line light rail system, being overseen by the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority. The project is planned in two segments – Pasadena to Azusa and Azusa to Montclair. The Pasadena to Azusa segment is fully funded by Los Angeles County's Measure R and is on schedule to be completed in late 2015. The Azusa to Montclair segment is still in the planning stages and is not funded. The segment is undergoing environmental review and must be environmentally cleared before it is ready for final design and construction.

SOURCE Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority

RELATED LINKS
http://www.foothillextension.org/