(The Pasadena Star-News posted the following article by Mira Katz on its website on June 29.)
PASADENA, Calif. — An additional track is being added from Pomona to Montclair to the San Bernardino line, Metrolink’s most heavily traveled route.
The new track, to be completed by the end of the year, will allow two trains to travel in opposite directions simultaneously.
Having two tracks will help Metrolink increase train frequencies and reduce delays during peak hours. Amtrak passengers will benefit because the tracks will be used in new service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
“The added track will allow for more Metrolink trains, more frequent stops at each station, and it is being designed to work with Phase Two of the Gold Line, that will go from Pasadena to Claremont,’ said Craig Bradshaw, Claremont city engineer.
The 5.3-mile project will cost $24.8 million. Metrolink is requesting $6 million in 2003 federal transportation funds. It has received $1.3 million in federal funds. The state and Metro Transit Authority are providing the remaining $17.5 million.
Ridership on the San Bernardino line has grown 10 percent each year and already has the highest ridership of all Metrolink lines.
Two trains have been added this year, with 30 trains serving about 10,000 daily riders, according to Metrolink.
More than 50 percent of riders use the Covina, Pomona, Claremont, Montclair, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga stations.
Building new platforms, lengthening existing platforms and providing pedestrian access improvements to stops on the line will make it easier for people who are traveling opposite the peak-use direction.
The Rialto and Fontana stations will have extended platforms to accommodate longer trains. Montclair financed a second platform and Metrolink paid for Claremont and Covina’s second platform.
The improvements at the Montclair and Covina stations were recently completed.
Today the line’s schedule is going to change slightly. Trains 325 and 329 going to Los Angeles will be making new stops in Montclair at 5:52 p.m. and 7:49 p.m.
Many of the trains will be departing and arriving between one and five minutes earlier or later to their next stops. Train 325 will not stop at the Claremont and Pomona stations until track improvements are completed.