[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 24]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 32632]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING METRO GOLD LINE CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY'S 10 YEARS OF 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Metro 
Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority as it celebrates 
ten years of service and commitment to the community. Since the 
Construction Authority was established by the California State 
Legislature to design and construct the Pasadena Metro Gold Line, it 
has completed 13.7 miles of light rail, which averages 24,000 daily 
weekday boardings.
  One decade ago, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation 
Authority, faced with serious budgetary problems, delayed the 
construction of the light-rail line to Pasadena. Senate Bill 1847 was 
introduced to create the Construction Authority and finish the work 
that had already been started on the new rail line. The newly created 
Construction Authority was not only able to complete the project on 
time but was also able to build it under budget.
  Today, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority 
is continuing its work in connecting downtown Los Angeles to the San 
Gabriel Valley and beyond. Funding has been secured to extend the line 
to the city of Azusa and plans are in place to continue the Gold Line 
to Montclair and Ontario International Airport. The success of the Gold 
Line is a testament of the collaborate efforts between the staff of the 
Construction Authority and the elected officials, civic leaders, and 
residents of the surrounding communities.
  The Gold Line not only provides a reliable and efficient source of 
transportation to residents of the greater Los Angeles region, it also 
alleviates traffic and is a part of our fight to reduce pollution. The 
congestion on the Gold Line corridor highways has continued to increase 
as the Inland Empire grows in population. As we work to find solutions 
to solve our traffic congestion dilemma, extending the Gold Line into 
our eastern cities is clearly part of the answer.
  It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the Metro Gold Line 
Foothill Extension Construction Authority on its ten years of success. 
I am proud of the role I have played in helping the Gold Line become 
the pride of the San Gabriel Valley and I wish it continued success!

                          ____________________