L.A. Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Updates

Trains Magazine Transit
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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “F” (of A-I, Overall A-Q)

A higher elevation northwestward view of that piping:

Another southeastward look at the railroad bridge east just down the line.

LINK: Aerial of That Single-Track Bridge

As discerned in the aerial, the railroad bridge goes diagonally over an intersection, the crossing of Huntington Drive and Second Ave.

Above, the north-south Second Street has a shoofly look to this day, undoubtedly so the bridge could be put in while the original north-south Second Street was kept open for auto traffic.

Continued in Part G

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “G” (of A-I, Overall A-Q)

Some ground views by that single-track bridge.

Taking the bridge down will be a show in itself, and probably will take place late at night.

At least there will not be any rail traffic for contractors to worry around, and the end-support walling on each side will be able to be rebuilt for two-tracks at the contractors’ leisure. Of course, there is alwa

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “H” (of A-I, Overall A-Q)

We move over to Monrovia, by the old Santa Fe Depot, and look west.

Continued in Part I

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “I” (of A-I, Overall A-Q)

Looking east from the same general camera location, a key roadway artery, the old Myrtle Ave. curved grade crossing:

Two eastward views:

In the nearby public parking lot, an inviting billboard sign about the construction and the future.

Parts J-Q will be posted by Friday, May 3, 2013 noon Pacific Daylight Time.

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “J” (of J-Q, Overall A-Q)

Along the east-west Duarte Rd., K.P. found a convenient spot west of Mountain Ave. to park and take a few construction photos.

Continued in Part K

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “K” (of J-Q, Overall A-Q)

Near Duarte Rd. and Buena Vista St., another convenient place to park and take photo was found. Looking west:

The Buena Vista St. grade crossing with old Santa Fe style flashers and crossing gates:

Continued in Part L

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “L” (of J-Q, Overall A-Q)

Looking east across Buena Vista St.:

A mild eastward telephoto:

The paralleling Duarte Rd.:

Continued in Part M

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “M” (of J-Q, Overall A-Q)

As we move eastward, we come to a rather unusual roadway changing of directions.

AERIAL: Where Duarte Rd. Meets and Curves Into Highland Ave.

A southward view shows something different than just a single-track grade crossing: It already has two new tracks laid through it.

Just to the west, it appears (“appears”) that a Foothill Extension station stop is being constructed.

A straight-on westward view:

Continued in Part N

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “N” (of J-Q, Overall A-Q)

A westward telephoto from Highland Ave.:

A westward south side view:

A north side westward view now:

Continued in Part O

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “O” (of J-Q, Overall A-Q)

The east side of the street:

A telephoto looking east, and the 605 Freeway transition bridges:

Continued in Part P

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “P” (of J-Q, Overall A-Q)

By Highland Ave., more multi-piping is observed.

There were a whole lot of concrete ties stacked up by the 605 Freeway, among other things.

It seems there was other stacks of concrete ties, a little to the east, possibly by Irwindale Ave.

Continued in Part Q

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Now Building the Foothill Extension

Part “Q” (of J-Q, Overall A-Q)

Between Irwindale Ave. (left) and Virginia Ave. (right) is the railroad bridge over the 210 Freeway.

AERIAL: I-210 and the ex-AT&SF

At the railroad bridge over the freeway, an interesting thing was there: The east end of the siding was on the bridge!

AERIAL: Railroad Bridge over the I-210 Freeway

In the latter AT&SF days, most freight trains were westbound over the bridge, with the counterpart eastbound trains going via Corona. But that siding was relatively long – 6165 feet – and most meets could be made there.

In Azusa, at the Virginia Ave. grade crossing, near Sixth St., the grade crossing sidewalks were closed, so trackside photos could not be had.

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Update as of Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Foothill Extension

Part I (of I-VI)

Arcadia, CA

At Santa Anita Ave. where the old Santa Fe Second District crossed the main street years ago …

… things are now a changing!

Continued in Part II

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Update as of Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Foothill Extension

Part II (of I-VI)

Arcadia, CA

One of the more far reaching of the changes is a track overpass being put in. Looking eastbound, a new bridge end construction is seen. Also, half of Santa Anita Ave. is newly graded and paved, while the old ‘over the old tracks’ part is still present. Compare the foreground roadway with the background roadway.

A close-up of the west bridge end’s new concrete-work:

From a west side business parking lot west of Santa Anita Ave., an eastbound view showing the back side of the new concrete end structure.

Continued in Part III

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Update as of Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Foothill Extension

Part III (of I-VI)

Arcadia, CA

At Santa Clara St. and First Ave., the diagonally going through the intersection old Santa Fe Main and side track has been paved over, likely after the tracks were removed.

Looking northwest, the station stop is taking shape.

In the last photo just above, note the Santa Anita Ave. bridgework taking shape on the far right.

The old all sides protective crossing gates are still standing from the Santa Fe days of the Super C and Super Chief.

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Update as of Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Foothill Extension

Part IV (of I-VI)

Monrovia, CA

From Myrtle Ave. (by the old Monrovia Santa Fe station) looking westbound:

Looking east:

Continued in Part V

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Update as of Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Foothill Extension

Part V (of I-VI)

Irwindale, CA

At the old Irwindale Ave. bridge over the old Santa Fe track and siding, the siding has been shortened drastically, and no longer extends eastward under the overpass bridge.

A close-up view of the ties to the west:

Continued in Part VI

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Update as of Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Foothill Extension

Part VI (of I-VI)

Irwindale, CA

Looking east from the Irwindale Ave. overpass, a bunch more concrete ties are seen. Also, there is no siding now (left). The old siding used to go east all the way to the I-210 Freeway, where it turned into the Main on the railroad bridge OVER the freeway.

The bridge over the track has a sidewalk on only one side, but the chain link fencing allows a small lens through it. Note the new signal on the right!

The new signal, its shadow, the fence’s shadow, and the shadow figure of yours truly …

A close-up of the new color light signals on a single mast

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Update: Gravel base is down, and they are laying concrete sleepers starting at the Brewery [:D]

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vsmith (12-16):

Well, the laying of concrete ties is good news!

I thought I might be able to get out that way this past Tuesday, but things didn’t work as expected.

Hopefully soon, though.

Best,

K.P.