CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE From Track, Page 5
The Path Forward While it appears that SBCTA’s vote is terminal, Montclair will continue to work toward solutions that bring A Line light rail services to the Montclair Transit Center. The SBCTA Board of Director’s vote does, however, most certainly delay progress for construction of the A Line to the Montclair Transit Center to a date outside the current procurement effort to extend the A Line from Pomona to Claremont. The delay will also make the extension from Claremont to Montclair a standalone project, resulting in significantly higher costs should the extension proceed to the Montclair Transit Center at a future date. Take Action: Residents are encouraged to contact their State representatives to express their concerns and opinions on the extension of the A Line light rail to the Montclair Transit Center. 53 Assembly District Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez District Office: 13160 7th St. Chino, CA 91710 Phone: (909) 902-9606 22nd Senate District Senator Susan Rubio District Office: 1520E N. Mountain Ave. Building E, Suite 201 Ontario, CA 91762 Phone: (909) 460-6064
The parallel running of transportation services is not unique. Southern California is known for its network of freeways and roadways that run in multiple and parallel directions. Ground transit services also overlap, particularly as the number of competitors increase. Further, the argument against parallel rail services loses merit when it is apparent that SBCTA does not oppose other transportation projects that operate in parallel and share the same passenger pool — for example, there appears to be no SBCTA opposition to the proposed Brightline West high-speed rail cars and ONT airline services competing to attract from the same potential passenger pool bound for Las Vegas, Nevada. 5. Funding Gap A February 2025 bid on the Montclair Segment pushed the price tag from $93 million to somewhere between $145 million to $240 million, requiring an additional $66 million to $166 million in funding. The Construction Authority, displeased with the bid estimate, rescinded the design-build delivery method and opted, instead, to rebid under a construction management at risk delivery method that is expected to bring down the overall cost of the project. That bid is not expected to be received until February 2026. In any event, Montclair is confident that, in contributing toward the $4 billion to extend the A Line east from Union Station to Claremont, the State of California would agree to fund the additional cost to build the A Line to the Montclair Transit Center. Alternatively, Montclair would work with its transportation agency partners to secure federal funding for the project.
Light rail train at new Pomona North Station
6 | CITY OF MONTCLAIR | 2025 ANNUAL NEWSLETTER
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