Gold Line Spokesman Concerned About Measure R

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian commented on the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments' (SGVCOG) support of Measure R, saying, "it is unfortunate that Metro continues to deny the Foothill Extension project," and that "the Construction Authority will continue to raise questions about the validity of the approved expenditure plan for the Measure's extension as it relates to our project."

According to this article ( http://goo.gl/ZMmFT ), the reason extending Measure R got SGVCOG's approval is because of an amendment that would allow the Metro to divert highway funds for Metro projects, though not requiring those funds to go to the Gold Line. So, if the Metro board decides to, it might pay to extend the Gold Line past Azusa.

Opinion: As I understand it, the original Measure R mandated the track would go to Claremont. Now, in what appears to be a flat violation of that mandate, Metro is denying the funds to make that happen. So... they aren't even attempting to follow the current law but SGVCOG wants us to give them more money so maybe someday if they feel like it they might extend the track to Claremont? This is highly unpersuasive.

- Brad Haugaard

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