210 Bridge Foundation About to be Drilled

Mr. Crane being assembled to drill foundations.

The foundation for the 210 bridge over the eastbound lanes near Santa Anita will be drilled over the next four weeks, according to a press release from Gold Line Spokesman Habib Balian.

In the image you can see a large drill rig and crane are being assembled on the south side of the freeway. This is the location of the first of three 110 foot deep, 11 foot in diameter foundations. The other two are located in the center median of the freeway.  

"Each foundation will take approximately six days to drill and cast. We anticipate drilling the first foundation next week, followed by the installation of the reinforcing steel cage, concrete placement and testing the following week. This schedule is dependent on receiving final approval from Caltrans this week. During these activities, partial and full eastbound lane closures are planned (full closures occur late at night to minimize traffic delays)."

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Art

If you are interested in public art at the Gold Line stations, here are two videos produced by the Gold Line folks that talk about it: http://goo.gl/e4bxu and http://goo.gl/qbhSD .

 

The first of these video says that the Gold Line spends half a percent of its $810 million budget on public art, or, a little over $4 million.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Foundations About to be Built for 210 Bridge

Work will soon begin on the foundations for the Gold Line bridge over the 210 near the eastbound Santa Anita Avenue offramp, including three 110-foot deep foundations, according to a press release from the Gold Line, which adds ...

 

"Over the coming months, intermittent partial and/or full freeway closures of the eastbound I-210 lanes will continue to occur, mostly from Midnight to 5:00 a.m.  Traffic will be detoured along Foothill Boulevard.

 

"Avoid Traffic Delays: Register to receive construction alerts to your cell phone or e-mail at www.foothillextension.org."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Gets Help from Senator Hernandez

In the face of a lawsuit from a Monrovia landowner, Senator Ed Hernandez has been drafting legislation to expedite the Gold Line going forward. Here's an article: http://goo.gl/UbkZX

 

- Brad Haugaard

Construction on 210 Freeway Bridge Begins

Freeway bridge construction, on eastbound 210 at Santa Anita exit.

Habib Balian, spokesman for the Gold Line, writes that:

"Work on the Iconic Freeway Structure has begun. As you have seen over the last few weeks, the center median of the eastbound I-210 is clear and the 500-foot-long retaining wall is well on its way to completion. The retaining  wall is the first step in the construction process, creating the needed wide flat surface for the large construction equipment to access the construction area....

"As construction continues in the coming weeks, the wall will be completed, and then work will begin on the 110 foot deep foundations. That will be the first time a late night full closure of the eastbound lanes will be needed.  We will provide advanced notice of those activities."

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Gets Two-fer: Most Techie and Cheapest Contractor

As expected, the Gold Line awarded a $485.9 million contract to "Foothill Transit Constructors – A Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture," to design and construct the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension from Pasadena to Azusa.

The Kiewit/Parsons team was both the top ranked technical proposal and the lowest bid, according to Construction Authority Board Chairman and Glendora Mayor Doug Tessitor.

According to the Gold Line press release: "Kiewit and Parsons have teamed up nearly 20 times in the last decade to complete design-build projects and have designed and built more than 60 major infrastructure projects in the last forty years. Both are award-winning companies, providing world-renowned experience in successful completion of light rail transit projects.

"Kiewit was the lead team member on Phase 1 of the Gold Line from Los Angeles to Pasadena (with Parsons as the lead design subcontractor), which was completed in 2003 on time and under budget. Kiewit also recently oversaw demolition of the Mulholland Bridge (part of the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvement Project)."

According to Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian, "The Kiewit Parsons proposal was $72 million less than the next highest proposer and $123 million less than the highest price proposal."

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Plans to Award $500 Million Contract

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board of Directors will consider awarding a nearly $500 million design-build contract for the 11.5-mile light rail extension from Pasadena to Azusa tomorrow at a Special Board Meeting. This contract is anticipated to create nearly 7,000 jobs and $1 billion in economic output to the region during the next four years of design and construction.

The July 27 board meeting is from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Arcadia City Hall Council Chambers, 240 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia.

Update: According to Gold Line spokesman Habib F. Balian, the Gold Line intends to award the Pasadena to Azusa Alignment Design-Build contract to Foothill Transit Constructors - A Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture.

- Brad Haugaard (from Gold Line press release) 

Monrovia and Gold Line Tentatively Come to Terms

Apparently the Gold Line Construction Authority and the City of Monrovia have agreed to terms for the Gold Line to purchase the much-disputed Monrovia properties.

Here is a news release from Gold Line spokesman Habib F. Balian: 

"Just moments ago, the Construction Authority and City of Monrovia agreed to purchase terms for 14-acres of city-owned land within the 24-acre M&O site. The purchase terms will now go to the Authority Board and City Council for final approval.

"Although negotiations have been challenging over the last few months, all parties have stayed strongly committed to making this critically important transaction happen, as well as remained unwavering in their dedication to the project. Click here to view our press release.

"Because our Funding Agreement with Metro requires the Authority to own half of the land for the M&O facility before significant funds are transferred to the Authority to build the Pasadena to Azusa extension, this agreement could not have come at a better time. Next Wednesday, July 27, the Authority board will consider awarding the Alignment contract to one of the three short-listed design-build teams. Staff and our multiple evaluation committees - who’s hard work I must acknowledge - have completed our work and I will recommend to the board that the Foothill Transit Constructors – A Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture win this important contract. However, the board will make the final decision on Wednesday - so stay tuned!

"If you want to attend the board meeting on Wednesday, it will be held at Arcadia City Hall, in the Council Chambers starting at 9:30 a.m. The contract award agenda item is scheduled in the second half of the meeting, following closed session, and will start after 10:30 a.m."

- Brad Haugaard

Work on Freeway Bridge | Gold Line 'Hopeful' it can Acquire Land forMaintenance Yard

Gold Line spokesman, Habib Balian, sends these photos, taken this morning, of construction that has just begun on the new Gold Line freeway bridge that will span the eastbound 210 Freeway just before the Santa Anita off-ramp. He writes: "Multiple lane closures have taken place over the last several nights, and I am happy to report that they have gone very smoothly."

Also, he reports that "the Authority remains in active negotiations toward acquisition of the 24 acres of public and privately-owned property [in Monrovia] required for the project's Maintenance and Operations Facility. At this time the Authority is reasonably hopeful that we will be able to complete the acquisitions in time to meet our schedule, and stay on track to complete construction of the Pasadena to Azusa segment in 2015."

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Bridge Construction Begins

Here is a video update of the construction of the new 210 Freeway bridge near the eastbound Santa Anita offramp. It's starting around now and will take about a year to build. http://goo.gl/B4hjw

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line and Monrovia Try to Work It Out

It appears both the Gold Line and Monrovia are backing away from a fight.

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian writes that the Gold Line Construction Authority "has deferred eminent domain action on city/redevelopment agency land" and "has instructed its negotiators to explore with city officials work-arounds that satisfy both City and Authority interests."

 

Balian said the action was taken in response to the Monrovia City Council tabling any action regarding the proposed Gold Line property acquisition.

 

"The Authority," he writes, "remains hopeful that negotiations will produce a result that is satisfactory to all parties."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Bridge About to be Built

Bridge detour: Looks like Foothill Boulevard is going to get pretty hairy.

The Gold Line Construction Authority will begin work on the 210 bridge (just west of the eastbound Santa Anita exit) in the coming weeks.

Here are sections from the press release:

The first step will be to prepare the site and provide access for the large construction equipment. The center median slope will be removed and a temporary retaining wall will be built to support the westbound lanes. This work will take approximately a month to complete. Once the retaining wall is installed, work will begin on the bridge's foundations.

Initial foundation work will consist of drilling several deep steel-reinforced concrete foundations (called piles) ranging in size from 3 to 11 feet in diameter and up to 110 feet below ground. Once the foundations are ready, construction of the bridge structure itself will begin in the Fall. To protect the freeway during the year-long construction, a temporary support (called falsework) will be installed across the eastbound freeway lanes.  

As construction begins, the Authority will be preparing bi-weekly construction notices as well as sending construction alerts when eastbound freeway closures are anticipated. Attached is the first bi-weekly notice (for June 27 through July 2011). 

To sign up to receive future notices directly, click here ( http://goo.gl/Do5rT ) or keep checking the Authority website for the latest construction news.  If you want to receive closure alerts, don't forget to provide your cell phone number.

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Threatens to Take Monrovia Property

This morning Monrovia received notices of a "Proposed Eminent Domain Proceeding" from the Gold Line Construction Authority, according to Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa, writing in his weekly report.

 

In a nutshell, this means the Gold Line is moving ahead in its plans to take Monrovia property without the approval of the Monrovia City Council. Ochoa said the Gold Line's board will meet  on July 5 to consider doing this.

 

Ochoa adds: "In the shadow of a condemnation action, our willingness and ability to reach out to GLCA is limited at best. Though we still communicate with them about the project, it is becoming more apparent that our interests have diverged."

 

And, "I am hopeful that an agreement can still be reached that allows Monrovia to sustain the deal that we negotiated in good faith. I am more confident, however, in our ability to effectively defend our community's interests against an action by GLCA."

 

Source: http://goo.gl/1bLzG

 

- Brad Haugaard

Eminent Domain Against Monrovia? | Star-News Whacks City Council

Will the Gold Line use eminent domain against Monrovia ( http://goo.gl/txtey )? And today's Star-News editorial whacks Monrovia in its property dispute with the Gold Line: http://goo.gl/yD6Fs

OPINION: While not totally in disagreement with the Star-News editorial, there are three things I'd like to mention in Monrovia's defense:

1. The S-N says Monrovia will benefit from the proposed maintenance yard, which is undoubtedly true, but it will also be hurt by the maintenance yard because - as I seem to recall Councilman Tom Adams saying - part of the land is now private (read "taxable") and once it is transferred to the Gold Line (a governmental entity) it becomes non-taxable, meaning no more tax from that land going to the city from now until, well ... forever.

2. The S-N correctly points out that the maintenance yard could bring jobs and people to Monrovia. Yeah, but if a private developer opened a large business in the same location, that would do the same thing, so I'm not sure there is a net benefit from a maintenance yard. 

3. If it is - all things considered - a benefit to Monrovia, why did no other city along the line volunteer to have the yard?

Still, I agree with the general thrust of the editorial, which is that we really need to see this fight resolved.

- Brad Haugaard

UPDATE: Councilman Tom Adams responds: 

Brad,

 Please keep in mind that there are always alternatives to Monrovia giving in on this.

 1) The maintenance of the trains could continue right where it is today, in Los Angeles. That yard serves the MTA rolling stock well and can for many years to come.

 2) The yard could be built in one of our neighboring communities rather than our neighbors ganging up on Monrovia and threatening to file a lawsuit for our unwillingness to do what they won't.

 As for the S-N talking about jobs, far less will be created at the yard than would be created in a business other than the yard, so Monrovia actually would lose jobs by taking the yard. Taxes, well none will be paid. 50 years from now when someone calls the paramedics to the yard, that cost will be subsidized by the Monrovia taxpayers, no one else.

 We all want the Gold Line to come but at what price? Does the S-N and others really think that Monrovia should bear this burden alone? Let's see, Los Angeles says it wants the current yard out of their city, none of the cities on the extension want it, everyone seems to want the yard in Monrovia and they all know at what price we should take what they won't.

 I don't think this passes the smell test.

Gold Line Ridership Up

Habib Balian, spokesman for the Gold Line, says that "ridership is at record levels and continues to increase. Metro has now announced that in addition to the introduction of three-car trains a few months back, the frequency of trains during peak morning and afternoon periods will be increased to every six minutes in both direction (rather than 10 minutes) later this month.

- Brad Haugaard

Will Gold Line Use Eminent Domain Against Monrovia?

The disagreement between Monrovia and the Gold Line Construction Authority (GLCA) over the purchase of Monrovia land for a railway maintenance yard continues.

In his weekly report, Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa says the GLCA is "trying to force Monrovia to pay GLCA's costs to settle two lawsuits filed against GLCA by Excalibur Holdings" (a company fighting against having its property acquired by the city), and that the GLCA is threatening to "condemn Monrovia's property." He also warned that "potential litigation between GLCA and Monrovia" could be "protracted."

"No one is forcing this site upon GLCA," Ochoa said, and "if they can make a better deal elsewhere along the Gold Line alignment, then perhaps the time has come for them to reconcile to this alternative as well."

Lots more reading here: http://goo.gl/joAP9

UPDATE: Habib Balian, spokesman for the GLCA, writes: "I hope to provide positive updates on the last remaining critical path items, including the private landowner’s lawsuit against the City of Monrovia allegedly preventing the City from selling city-owned land to the Authority for the maintenance and operations facility."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Responds To Monrovia Criticism

In the land-sale disagreement between the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority and Monrovia, Authority Chairman Doug Tessitor writes that the almost-purchase-agreement was "based entirely on ... the City’s ability to sell its land free and clear without litigation or other encumbrance. In fact, the draft Purchase and Sale Agreement stated there was no threatened litigation."

 

But with a landowner suing, he says the litigation changes the Authority's ability to purchase the property, so the Authority would like the city to share some of the costs to settle with the property owner. But, he said, "it does not appear that the City considers that it has any responsibility in the litigation or the cloud over its property."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Railroad Gives Up Right-of-Way for Metro Lines

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway signed an agreement today to abandon its rights to use the corridor between (roughly) the future Arcadia and Irwindale Stations along the planned Gold Line Extension from Pasadena to Azusa. That is according to the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority.

Basically, if I understand this, it means Metro trains won't have to share with freight trains.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor: Contact State Representatives / Gold Line Benefits

~ Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz is asking residents to contact Senator Bob Huff (916) 651-4029, Assembly Member Anthony Portantino (916) 319-2044 and Assembly Member Tim Donnelly (916) 319-2059 before noon today to ask them to vote against Assembly Bill 101 and Senate Bill 77, which would end redevelopment agencies. http://goo.gl/YcHtS

~ Thoughts on how the Gold Line will benefit Monrovia and the San Gabriel Valley by Cynthia Kurtz, president and CEO of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. http://goo.gl/nWVYS

- Brad Haugaard

New Gold Line Website and Chairman

The Gold Line Extension folks have launched "a one-stop shop of information about the program of projects underway at the Construction Authority,” according Habib F. Balian, CEO of the Construction Authority. Here is the main page: http://www.foothillextension.org/

Here is the detail page about Phase 2A, which includes Monrovia. The design has parrots on it, which - come to think of it - is pretty relevant, even if they are kinda noisy: http://goo.gl/66PwF

Also, while the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board of Directors didn't select a Monrovian as its new chairman of the board, I guess as long as the chairman is from some point to the east of Monrovia (It's Glendora Mayor Pro Tem Doug Tessitor ), that person will be anxious to move the project along. http://goo.gl/j4ruV

- Brad Haugaard