Construction Authority Welcomes Newest Board Member and Thanks their Longest-Serving Member

MONROVIA, Calif., March 26, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tonight, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (Construction Authority) Board of Directors welcomes its newest member – Caltrans District 7 Director Carrie Bowen; while also recognizing the service and departure of its longest-serving member – former Monrovia mayor and councilmember Lara Larramendi.

A 30-year veteran of Caltrans and advisor on numerous transportation projects throughout California, Ms. Bowen will serve as the gubernatorial appointee, replacing Ms. Larramendi. She joins the nine-member board during a momentous period in the agency's history. This year, the Construction Authority will continue construction of the nearly $1 billion Pasadena to Azusa light rail extension, ready the $1.18 billion Azusa to Montclair segment for construction, and continue planning for a final extension to Ontario Airport.

"The board welcomes Ms. Bowen," said Construction Authority Board Chairman and Glendora Councilman Doug Tessitor. "Her extensive experience in overseeing and delivering major regional and state transportation projects will bring a new perspective on the board that will come in very handy as we approach the challenges of the future. I look forward to working closely with her to find possible ways we can improve our efforts as an agency."

At tonight's meeting, the board will also recognize outgoing board member Lara Larramendi for her 11 years of service on the board. Ms. Larramendi was appointed to the board in 2003 by then-Governor Gray Davis, and has served as one of the agency's strongest and most outspoken proponents ever since. Her public service history includes serving 15 years as a Monrovia city councilmember, with two of those years serving as the directly-elected mayor. Ms. Larramendi began serving on the board following completion of the initial Gold Line segment between Pasadena and Union Station, and has helped direct the agency as it has completed the planning efforts for the Foothill Gold Line, the first half of which broke ground in 2010 and is on-schedule and on-budget to be completed in September 2015.

"I must truly commend Lara for the positive legacy she is leaving behind on our board," stated Tessitor. "She has always been the first one in line to get the word out about the needs of the project, and has worked tirelessly on its behalf." Tessitor added, "We will definitely miss her ideas, enthusiasm and energy."

Following recognition of Ms. Larramendi's efforts over the last 11 years by the board at tonight's meeting, Ms. Bowen will be officially sworn in and attend her first meeting. The meeting takes place at the Construction Authority's office, 406 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 202, Monrovia; starting at 7 PM.

About the Foothill Gold Line - The Foothill Gold Line is a nearly $2 billion, 24-mile extension of the Metro Gold Line light rail system, being overseen by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, an independent transportation planning and construction agency. 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 September 2015, when it will be turned over to Metro for testing and pre-revenue service. Measure R is funding the majority of the cost associated with the upcoming advanced conceptual engineering work for the Azusa to Montclair segment (San Bernardino County will fund their portion of the work). The Construction Authority issued a Request for Proposals for this work in January 2014, and anticipates awarding a contract for the 18-month effort in April 2014. The Construction Authority continues to work with Metro to seek the $1.18 billion needed to construct the Azusa to Montclair segment.

SOURCE Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority