The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has opened a transformative 9.1-mile extension of the A Line (formerly the Gold Line), stretching service from Azusa to Pomona. The project adds four new park-and-ride stations in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona, and extends the A Line to nearly 58 miles, making it the longest light rail line in the world.
The milestone, marked at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19, comes as Los Angeles accelerates regional transit expansion ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Officials expect the line to ease congestion, improve mobility across the San Gabriel Valley, and help meet the county’s sustainability targets.
Hill International’s Role
GISI Consulting Group company Hill International played a central role in bringing the extension to fruition, supporting the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Construction Authority) with comprehensive program and project management services throughout planning, design, and construction. The firm supported the design development and approval, construction, the contractor’s QA/QC program, scheduling, cost management, and risk mitigation while ensuring seamless coordination among the various stakeholders, including: Metro, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, the design-build contractor team, utility owners, and local municipalities.
By managing complex interfaces between multiple stakeholders and disciplines, Hill helped keep the multi-year, $1.5 billion project on track. The firm’s expertise in construction risk management was especially critical in navigating pandemic-era disruptions and maintaining momentum through shifting conditions.
“Because of the strong support of Hill International, the most recent four-station Foothill Gold Line project was completed on time and on budget despite major construction starting just weeks into the Covid-19 Pandemic,” stated Construction Authority CEO, Habib F. Balian. “The Hill Team has been integral for the Construction Authority’s success and has helped the agency deliver 23 of the 25 planned Foothill Gold Line stations over the past two decades.”
A Regional Achievement
The extension provides San Gabriel Valley residents with faster, more convenient access to jobs, schools, and cultural destinations while linking to other Metro rail and bus services across the region. For many commuters, it offers a viable alternative to car travel along the busy I-210 corridor.
Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins called the opening a pivotal step in the agency’s long-term strategy. “We’re reaching people who didn’t have access to our system before and making [L.A.] Metro better for everyone,” she said during the September 19 opening event.
Transportation advocates also point to the project’s potential to reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions, furthering regional goals for climate resilience.
Looking Ahead
The extension is one of several major infrastructure projects Metro is advancing in anticipation of the 2028 Games, including subway expansions, bus rapid transit routes, and new rail connections. Together, these investments are reshaping Los Angeles County’s mobility landscape for decades to come.
“Being part of a project that will directly improve the daily lives of tens of thousands of people and strengthen the region’s long-term transportation network is tremendously rewarding,” says Hill International Vice President of Project Management Reky Hiramoto.
With the A Line extension now complete, the world’s longest light rail line stands as both a landmark engineering achievement and a testament to the collaboration of Metro, the Construction Authority, Hill International, and countless partners who brought the project to reality.
Read more about Hill International’s role in the project here. For details on the opening celebration, click here.