The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority broke ground on June 26 on the Metro Gold Line’s $690-million Foothill extension. Stretching 11.3 miles, the design-build project will dissect California’s San Gabriel Valley, linking Pasadena with Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa. Work is scheduled to be complete in 2014. The first contract, worth $18.5 million, was awarded to Skanska USA, along with designer AECOM. This 24-month project involves the construction of a train bridge over the 210 Freeway in Arcadia, in a known fault-line area.