The first light rail line to extend beyond Los Angeles County into the Inland Empire has had to rethink its construction schedule in response to skyrocketing costs.
"Citing tariffs on imported steel, tighter immigration policies and rising wages, the Gold Line Construction Authority board Tuesday voted to build only half the Glendora-to-Montclair extension, saying runaway construction costs could prevent building out to Montclair," reports Steve Scauzillo.
"By a 5-0 unanimous vote, the board authorized the surprise staff recommendation that the 12.3-mile extension needs to be built in two phases due to costs rising 38 percent, from $1.5 billion to $2.1 billion," adds Scauzillo.
The new phased approach to construction means that the first eight miles of the extension, with stations in Glendora, San Dimas, and La Verne, will be complete in 2024, two years earlier than planned.
Scauzillo provides a lot more detail on the project and the Gold Line Construction Authority's reaction to the challenges facing the project. Steven Sharp provides additional analysis in a separate article.
Read the full story: Gold Line extension delayed because of steel tariffs, runaway construction costs, authority says
Light Rail Extension Into the Inland Empire Faces Growing Opposition
The plan for the Gold Line Extension to Montclair in San Bernardino County has changed quickly. Now some want to throw out the idea completely.
New Bus Priority Lane Under Construction in Los Angeles
La Brea Avenue will soon gain a new bus priority lane, with plans for more to come still gathering community feedback.
Newly Opened Regional Connector Redefines Light Rail Transit in Los Angeles
Three rail lines have become two rail lines in Los Angeles, providing one-seat rides from four corners of Los Angeles County.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060
Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.
LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.
Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code
The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority