First Look at Gold Line Opening Day (Photos)

There are only a few more hours to go until Gold Line trains begin making their highly anticipated trips to and from Azusa with actual passengers on them!

By Marc Corti

The opening of the extension will give residents and visitors alike an additional option to traverse the Foothill Communities rather than utilizing the often congested 210 Freeway and the area’s main arterials. And like other rail openings in the past, Metro – along with its partner cities and other stakeholders of the project – will be hosting opening day parties, slated to take place at 5 of the 6 new Gold Line stations.

Here is what to expect on Saturday, March 5: (Android and IOS friendly).

– What time is the Gold Line Foothill Extension officially opening to the public?

The Gold Line Foothill Extension to Azusa officially opens at 12pm on Saturday March, 5.

– Will Metro be offering free rides on the Gold Line opening day?

There will be free rides all day Saturday  (12pm to 12am) along the entire Gold Line system.

– What can I expect at each of the new stations on Saturday?

There will be opening day festivities at 5 of the 6 new stations (listed in order west to east):

1- Arcadia Station

Station party from 11am to 4pm.

• 201 N. First Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006

2- Monrovia Station

• Station party from 11am to 4pm.
• 1651 S. Primrose Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016

3- Duarte/City of Hope Station

• Opening Ceremony begins at 10am.
• Station party from 12pm to 4pm.
• 1777 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010

4- Irwindale Station

• Station party from 11am to 4pm.
• 16017 Avenida Padilla, Irwindale, CA 91702

5- Azusa Downtown Station

• Station party from 11am to 4pm.
• 780 N. Alameda Avenue, Azusa, CA 91702

6- APU/Citrus College Station

• No station party, but is the new terminus of the Gold Line.
• The APU/Citrus gold line station is only accessible from Promenade. There’s no access from south of the station yet.*

– Is there parking available at the new stations?

Yes. Free parking is available at each of the stations on a first come first serve basis.

– Is there a place to lock my bike at each of the new stations?

There are bike racks at each of the stations.

– What is the schedule for the new Gold Line service?

Take a look at our summary of the new Gold Line service.

– What else is there to see along the Gold Line Foothill Extension?

Take a look at our feature covering the new stations and their cities.

– Commemorative TAP card

Metro will also be celebrating the opening of their latest rail project with a commemorative TAP card. The photo on the card was taken by Metro Rail operator Mike Santillan and the cards will be available for purchase from TAP vending machines located at all six of the new stations, as well as, TAP vending machines at Union Station and Sierra Madre Villa station. You can get a piece of LA Metro history while supplies last!

– Map of Gold Line Foothill Extension stations

*Immediately adjacent to the proposed APU/Citrus College station is the 518-acre Rosedale Master Planned Community approved to include 1,500 residences. Community features planned include a large community park with basketball and tennis courts, a lighted sports field, pedestrian-friendly trails and a community recreation center. A new K-8 elementary/middle school and a fire station are also planned.

[This article has been updated to include additional APU/Citrus station information – March 3, 2015  12:38 p.m.]

 

Source: The Source.