Foothill Extension

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Foothill Extension: A simple overview

What it is
The Foothill Extension is the eastern addition to Los Angeles’ Metro Rail A Line (formerly the Gold Line). It runs from Sierra Madre Villa in Pasadena east through the Foothill cities toward Montclair. The project is built and managed by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority and operated by Los Angeles Metro.

Where it goes (Route and length)
- The full planned route covers about 23.8 miles (38.3 km) from the Sierra Madre Villa area in Pasadena to Montclair TransCenter in Montclair, following the old Pasadena Subdivision railbed through the Foothill communities.
- Phase 2A runs from Sierra Madre Villa to Azusa, about 11.5 miles.
- Phase 2B extends from Azusa to Pomona and beyond, adding about 12.3 miles (9.1 miles from Azusa to Pomona, and 3.2 miles from Pomona to Montclair). The plan includes six new or upgraded stations in this stretch, with connections to Metrolink on some segments.

Key stations (examples)
- Phase 2A: Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte/City of Hope, Irwindale, Azusa Downtown, APU/Citrus College.
- Phase 2B: Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne/Fairplex, Pomona North, Pomona, Claremont, Montclair (terminus).

Timeline and milestones
- Phase 2A opened: March 5, 2016 (Azusa segment completed).
- Phase 2B ground breaking: December 2017.
- Phase 2B partial opening: Pomona segment opened September 19, 2025.
- Montclair extension (the final piece of Phase 2B) has faced funding and planning challenges and has not yet opened; it remains a future goal that depends on funding and approvals.

Who runs it
- The Foothill Extension is planned and managed by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (a joint powers authority that includes Los Angeles Metro, SBCTA, SVGCOG, and several cities).
- Once completed, trains on the line are operated by Los Angeles Metro.

Current status and future
- As of 2026, Phase 2B’s Azusa-to-Pomona portion is complete and in operation up to Pomona North, with the Pomona-to-Montclair portion still subject to funding and planning decisions.
- The project aims to boost mobility in the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas, create jobs during construction, and spur transit-oriented development along the corridor.
- There have been studies and discussions about extending further to Ontario International Airport (Ontario Connector/Phase 2C), but no active construction is planned there right now.

Why it matters
The Foothill Extension helps reduce traffic, connects several central San Gabriel Valley communities to the regional rail network, and is seen as an economic catalyst for the region. It also completes a longer-term vision of a continuous eastward rail link, with future extensions depending on funding and approvals.