The opening of the Metro Gold Line Foothill extension, including the Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College stop is fast approaching.
The city of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University, and Rosedale Land Partners were denied a 4-month delay from Metro on opening this station due to incomplete construction of Citrus Avenue to connect with the stop’s parking structure.
Missing from this conversation was Citrus College, even though construction will be taking place at the northwest corner of campus at the turn of Citrus Avenue into Foothill Boulevard.
When asked why Citrus was not involved in this request for a delay, Citrus College Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Claudette Dain said Citrus, key representatives of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority and city officials have had multiple conversations about Citrus’ concerns for pedestrian safety.
“Our students have also actively advocated for the completion of the Foothill/Citrus extension by speaking at community meetings, college rallies and speaking before the Metro Board on numerous occasions.” an email from Dain said. “Along with that advocacy and support, Citrus College’s main priority has always been and continues to be the safety of our students, faculty, and staff.”
Citrus is working with the the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority to set up a shuttle system. The shuttle route plan is to use Promenade and Palm Drive to bring students closer to campus.
The city of Glendora’s City Manager Chris Jeffers explained why the city of Glendora also did not request a delay.
“The station is not in our city,” Jeffers said “A delay would have caused confusion and the shuttles Metro is planning on using are a generous solution.”
The main concern from Azusa, APU and Rosedale Land Partners, the company that owns the community off of these streets, is that Promenade is a small residential street not suitable for the amount of traffic that could develop once the stop is open.
This controversy started last April when the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority anticipated problems with the Citrus Avenue construction and approved spending $1 million to help it stay on schedule for the station opening, reported in a San Gabriel Valley Tribune article.
The Gold Line is officially open March 5 and students can purchase discounted passes that work for both buses and the Gold Line for $43 a month.
Metro is hosting an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Duarte/City of Hope Station and is offering free rides from 11 a.m. to midnight at all Gold Line stations.
For more information students can also visit the Foothill Gold Line Extension website.
