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Yesterday, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority issued a full notice to proceed to Foothill Transit Constructors to begin designing and building the $486 million light-rail alignment from Pasadena to Azusa, Calif.

The Kiewit Parsons joint venture now will launch all aspects of the design-build contract, including the design and construction of 11.5 miles of track, stations, crossings, bridges, utilities and a maintenance facility, authority officials said in a prepared statement.

The project’s total budget is $735 million. Construction is slated for completion in 2015.

Two conditions had to be met prior to the notice being issued: BNSF Railway Co.’s abandonment of the rail right of way west of Irwindale, which was completed in February; and full control over more than half of the land required for the maintenance facility, which was met late last month, authority officials said.

The $1.4 billion Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension project is partially funded by Los Angeles County’s Measure R. The extension is undergoing final design and construction for the Pasadena-to-Azusa segment, and environmental review for the Azusa-to-Montclair segment.