LA Metro
The $1.5 billion, 9-mile first phase of the Foothill Gold Line Extension light rail line from Glendora to Pomona, Calif., is set to be transferred to LA Metro next month for final prep work in advance of its expected opening next summer, according to the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, which has overseen the bulk of the construction, the Los Angeles Business Journal reports. The Authority said that as of Nov. 25, construction was 92% complete.
According to the report, for the remainder of this month, the Authority’s announcement said, “construction crews will be testing the light rail system and putting the finishing touches on the buildout of the four new stations in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona.” The work is being led by a joint venture consisting of Omaha, Neb.-based Kiewit Corp. and Centreville, Va.-based Parsons Corp.
Once the project is transferred to LA Metro, the agency will “oversee final preparation work, including finishing touches on the physical infrastructure and train and electrical systems testing. LA Metro will then make the final decision on the opening date,” according to the Los Angeles Business Journal report.
The remaining 3.2-mile portion of the extension to Montclair in San Bernardino County that had been “severed from the project five years ago due to soaring materials and labor costs is now back on the table,” thanks to nearly $800 million in state funding received as part of a major transit bill this summer.
LA Metro on Oct. 31 released the funds to the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, which will put that segment out to bid next spring, according to the report. The same joint venture of Kiewit and Parsons is the frontrunner to be awarded the work on this second phase, which is expected to be completed in 2030.
Amtrak
Amtrak and STARR Restaurant Group, led by James Beard award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr, have introduced a new seasonal menu, now available on Acela First Class for customers traveling between Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C., on the NEC. This is the fourth seasonal Acela First Class menu featuring offerings from Stephen Starr restaurants since the program began in May 2023. To continue bringing all new variety onboard, this menu includes the first dish offered from The Dandelion restaurant in Philadelphia.
Leading the new offerings is the Tandoori Chicken from The Dandelion, a flavorful dish inspired by the Philadelphia gastropub seasoned with masala spice, accompanied by a refreshing cucumber-cilantro yogurt, and paired with coconut basmati rice, enriched with almonds, pistachios, and sweet raisins. Complementing this are two additional customer favorites—the Baked Manicotti from Pizzeria Stella and the Chicken Enchiladas from El Vez. Dishes will rotate every three weeks to provide fresh variety on the menu.
In addition to these dishes, Amtrak is introducing new creations curated by its Executive Chef. The breakfast menu rotation will now feature Pumpkin French Toast, and lunch and dinner selections will include the return of Lamb Tagine, “back by popular demand from customers,” according to Amtrak.
The collaboration between Amtrak and STARR Restaurant Group is part of a larger food and beverage program elevation for Acela guests. This includes the reinvention of Cafe Acela, featuring more gourmet and artisan products from “sustainably sourced, health-conscious, and local brands,” plus new food and beverage menus at other Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges across the country.
MBTA
The MBTA on Dec. 6 announced the release of its Draft EA for the North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement Project, which will replace the North Station Draw One Bridge that crosses over the Charles River, “bringing it to a state of good repair and increasing safety for riders taking the Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport, and Fitchburg Commuter Rail lines.” The drawbridge’s current two moveable spans and four tracks will be upgraded to include three moveable spans and increase the number of tracks to six.
In September 2024, the MBTA was awarded $472,300,616—its largest federal award to date—from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program (MEGA) as part of the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program for the Project. In November 2024, the MBTA also hosted an industry forum in support of the landmark $1.2 billion project.
The Draft EA (download below) was recently completed to analyze and describe potential impacts associated with the project.
