L.A.'s Gold Line extension project under way

Railway Age, Sept, 2004

Construction has begun on LACMTA's six-mile Gold Line extension to East Los Angeles. The $898.8-million, eight-station project is scheduled to open in 2009. The route will serve several densely-populated neighborhoods including Little Tokyo, Boyle Heights, and East L.A., generating up to 23,000 weekday riders by 2020.The main $600.4-million construction contract was awarded to a joint venture of Washington Group International, Obayashi Corp., and Shimmick Construction Corp.

A 1.8-mile segment with two stations will be located in a tunnel beneath Boyle Heights. The remainder of the system, which will provide through service from Pasadena to East L.A., will be built at street level.