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Well, it looks as if the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension is back on track, er, pun intended.

Foothill Extension representative Linda Manning sent out an information email today with encouraging words for all those looking forward to having light rail access in Monrovia.

“The Los Angeles The Los Angeles County Registrar made the results official on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 with Measure R passing with 67.93% approval. Although passage was anticipated following the November 4th election, provisional and absentee ballots were yet to be finalized before the December 2nd certification deadline,” wrote Manning. “The first phase of the Foothill Extension (Phase 2A through Azusa) is one of many projects listed within Measure R’s Operating Plan, with funding availability slated as early as 2010.”

She indicated that the best case timeline has been revised as follows:

December 2009

Commencement of the design / build procurement process for both the Santa Anita Aerial Structure and the Foothill Extension Phase 2A Alignment

June 2010

Recommend award of Santa Anita (Arcadia) Aerial Structure

August 2010

Groundbreaking for Santa Anita Aerial Structure

February 2011

Recommend Award of Foothill Extension Phase 2A contract

Groundbreaking for Foothill Extension Phase 2A

December 2013

Phase 2A Revenue Service

For more details on this topic, visit the Foothill Extension Website.

Habitat for Humanity Groundbreaking, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

I’m happy to say that this project is progressing and 4 families have been chosen for the property. What a cool thing to be a kid in one of those families seeing their house constructed from scratch!

Latest reports indicated that the fire has now burned more than 490 acres. Only one small structure has been damaged. The fire is more than 20 percent contained and fire officials expect to need 5-7 days for full containment. Approximately 1000 people have been evacuated, and more are scheduled. For a map of the area burned, click here.
Photo by ssladybug

As you may have noticed, there is quite a bit of smoke in the air, and flames are visible on the hills above Santa Anita Canyon Road. According to the City of Sierra Madre’s website, which will be continuing to post the latest information, there is a mandatory evacuation for residents above Grandview. The fire has burned 21 acres and there have been no fire-related injuries as of this writing.

Those evacuating have been directed to go to the Hart Senior Park House at 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Firefighters expect to have the fire contained within 24 hours. It is spreading north very slowly.

I drove up Santa Anita a little ways to gauge the fire danger, but unfortunately don’t have good enough camera equipment to get a photo. I saw a couple of determined souls with tripods hoping to get a photo of the blaze. I didn’t stay long as lots of other people had the same idea and the traffic was getting heavy on Santa Anita, and I didn’t want to be part of a headache for police and residents. The smoke was thick enough to come through my air conditioner, and I was happy to get down below back to Monrovia.

Fingers crossed that the firefighters have good luck tonight putting out the flames, as tomorrow’s expected 96-degree heat won’t be helping matters.

Photo by el3ctone