Foothill Gold Line Project Runs Ahead of Schedule

The Foothill Gold Line Extension project is off to a solid start. The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority has already completed the $2.6 million utility relocation project, finishing a head of schedule and under budget. This is the first of three contracts to be completed over the life of the project, which will ultimately add six stations to the Foothill Gold Line from Glendora to Montclair with new Metro Gold Line stations in the cities of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair.

W.A. Rasic Construction Co. managed the utility-relocation, relocating and protecting sewer and water lines through the railway corridor. “W.A. Rasic Construction Co. did an exceptional job managing the project and getting the work done within their contract period,” Albert Ho of the Foothill Gold Line project and the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, tells GlobeSt.com. CEO Habib F. Balian adds, “W.A. Rasic Construction completed the Utility Relocation contract, which resulted in the relocation and/or protection over the past 11 months of a dozen strategically-located water and sewer lines that cross the railroad corridor. These lines were identified for this early work to reduce risk for the main, Alignment design-build contractor; and I am pleased to report that Rasic completed their work two months ahead of schedule and on budget.”

Measure M funds are financing the majority of the project with less than $100 million in funding from Measure R. The project in general as well as the early completion of the project is an early success for these measures. “Any way that the Construction Authority can reduce risk for the Alignment design-build contract has the potential to reduce the bid price and therefore the final cost of the project,” says Ho. “By eliminating utility work for the next contractor, and having that work accomplished before bids are due; it allows the bids to incorporate the reduced risk associated with this critical early work.”

The next step is to begin the alignment-build contract. Proposals for the second phase of the project are due on September 12, and construction should begin this year. Major construction is scheduled to begin in 2020, and the rail extension will open in 2026. “Once proposals are received, they will be reviewed by numerous committees of experts and a recommendation will be made for a winning bidder,” Ho explains. “The contract award is anticipated later this year, following this review. Because the Alignment design-build contract is the larger contract for the light rail extension, any major changes to the schedule will be based on their efforts and work. As of now, the Utility Relocation work’s early completion does not relate to the overall project schedule being completed early. As of now, the Construction Authority anticipates completion of the project in 2026.”