On Wednesday, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority Board of Directors held a meeting to officially swear in Claremont Mayor Pro Tem Ed Reece and La Verne Council Member Robin Carder as the incoming chair and vice chair, respectively, of the construction authority’s board of directors. The duo were sworn into their new positions virtually after being unanimously elected last month.

“The two local elected representatives will lead the agency at a critical time,” a news release read. “The westernmost 9.1-mile, four-station project segment from Glendora to Pomona is currently undergoing major construction; while the Construction Authority seeks the additional funding needed to complete the final three miles of the project that include stations in Claremont and Montclair.”

“This year we will be laser focused on securing the funding needed to complete the project to Claremont and Montclair and bring the full benefit of this much-needed infrastructure project to fruition,” Chair Reece said Wednesday. “I know I speak for Vice Chair Carder as I thank our colleagues for their confidence in us. It is an honor to serve on this board.”

Chair Reece and Vice Chair Carder have served on the board for several years according to a news release. During both member’s tenure, “the project segment from Glendora to Pomona has advanced from final design into major construction.”

“Completing this project is critical to the future of the corridor cities and the entire region,” Chair Reece said. “It will dramatically increase mobility opportunities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of life for our residents, workers, students and visitors.”

Despite the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project segment is on budget and still on time to be completed around 2025. In addition, the agency is seeking state funding to cover the remainder of the project; allowing the [gold] line to connect to important regional destinations such as the Montclair Transit Center and the Claremont Colleges.

The Foothill Gold Line board is made up of elected and appointed representatives from throughout the project corridor. In addition to the chair and vice chair, the board currently includes Pomona Mayor and Metro Board Member Tim Sandoval, Glendora Council Member Mendell Thompson, Los Angeles city representative Melchor Ilomin, Ontario Council Member Alan Wapner (non-voting), Pasadena Council Member Gene Masuda (non-voting), and South Pasadena representative Dan Evans (non-voting).