Grade crossing work completed on Foothill Gold Line light-rail project

The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority last week completed all 14 grade crossings for the 11.5-mile light-rail extension from Pasadena to Azusa, Calif., three weeks ahead of schedule.

The milestone comes a week after the authority completed all light-rail track installation for the line.

Work began on the crossings in February 2013, and required long-term closures of each street. Each crossing received upgrades to underground utilities, the roadway, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, in addition to the installation of light-rail track, signals, and communications and safety equipment, authority officials said in a press release.

Completing the crossings helps keep the project on time and on budget, said Construction Authority Chief Executive Officer Habib Balian, adding that the authority is less than a year from turning the project over to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA).

The Foothill Gold Line is a $2 billion, 12-station extension of the Metro Gold Line light-rail system. The project is planned in two segments: Pasadena to Azusa, and Azusa to Montclair. The Pasadena-to-Azusa segment is funded by Los Angeles County's Measure R, and is on budget and on schedule to be completed in September 2015, when it will be turned over to LACMTA for testing and pre-revenue service.