Parsons Corporation has secured a six-year, $60 million contract from the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority to complete final design work and provide construction-phase design services for Phase 2B2 of the Foothill Gold Line project in Southern California.

The Phase 2B2 scope covers a 2.3-mile extension of the Metro A Line, linking Pomona to Claremont and advancing what is recognized as the world’s longest linear light rail corridor. Once delivered, the segment will further extend rail connectivity between downtown Los Angeles and the eastern reaches of Los Angeles County.

Parsons has been involved in the Foothill Gold Line’s development for more than two decades, having led design efforts across multiple phases of the project. Company executives said the latest award continues a long-standing role in shaping the corridor’s expansion.

According to Parsons, the A Line extension will expand transit access for communities along the route and help advance regional goals such as congestion relief, improved air quality, and reliable commuter mobility.

While public references to Phase 2B2 often cite different lengths, the design contract awarded to Parsons applies specifically to the 2.3-mile Los Angeles County segment between Pomona and Claremont. The discrepancy stems from the project’s original scope, which envisioned a 3.2-mile extension continuing east to Montclair in San Bernardino County. That final 0.9-mile leg is currently on hold after the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority withdrew funding in late 2025, leaving the Pomona-to-Claremont section as the only fully funded and advancing portion of Phase 2B2.

Parsons contract

Parsons, awarded the contract on February 2, 2026, will advance the Claremont extension from its current 30% design stage to full “Approved for Construction” drawings and provide design support during construction. The 2.3-mile segment carries an estimated $798 million construction cost, fully funded through state sources, including SB 125 allocations approved by LA Metro. Specifically, $60 million of that total funds design and engineering services under the six-year Parsons agreement, while roughly $700 million is reserved for construction under a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery model. Although the segment spans a relatively short distance, it includes major infrastructure such as a new Claremont intermodal station, freight rail and utility relocations, and complex grade separations—factors that have driven costs higher than earlier estimates. The authority plans to award the construction contract by mid-2026 as the project advances toward its targeted 2031 opening.

Pomona-to-Claremont

The Pomona-to-Claremont extension follows the completion of the Glendora-to-Pomona segment, which reached substantial completion in early 2025. That phase added roughly 9.1 miles and four stations at a cost of about $1.5 billion, making it the most expensive section of the corridor delivered to date. Earlier phases of the Foothill Gold Line included the 13.7-mile Union Station–to–Pasadena segment, completed in 2003 for approximately $485 million, and the 11.5-mile Pasadena–to–Azusa extension, which opened in 2015 at a cost of $735 million. Together, the completed portions represent more than 34 miles of light rail and about $2.7 billion in cumulative investment.

Foothill Gold Line

With the addition of the fully funded $798 million Pomona-to-Claremont segment, total public investment in the Foothill Gold Line corridor now reaches approximately $3.6 billion, and it is expected to exceed $4 billion if the final extension to Montclair moves forward. Moreover, state SB 125 funds awarded by LA Metro fully finance the current Phase 2B2 work, covering design, procurement, and construction. Although the segment spans just 2.3 miles, it includes major infrastructure such as a new intermodal Claremont Station, freight rail and utility relocations, and complex grade separations—factors that have driven costs significantly higher than earlier estimates. The authority plans to award the construction contract by mid-2026 as it advances toward a targeted 2031 opening.

Similar to the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project, the Pomona–Claremont Foothill Gold Line extension represents another major step in Los Angeles County’s expanding light rail network, aimed at improving regional connectivity and easing congestion

Factsheet: Foothill Gold Line Phase 2B2 Design Contract

Project Overview

Project Name: Foothill Gold Line Phase 2B2

Location: Pomona to Claremont, California

Extension Length: 2.3 miles

Part of: Metro A Line light rail system (longest linear light rail line in the world)

Contract Details

Awarded To: Parsons Corporation

Awarded By: Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority

Contract Value: $60 million

Contract Duration: 6 years

Scope of Work:

Complete design of Phase 2B2

Provide design services during construction

Project Significance

Connectivity

Extends Metro A Line light rail system eastward

Improves commuter and visitor access between downtown Los Angeles and eastern Los Angeles County

Opens access to previously underserved neighborhoods

Environmental & Social Benefits

Reduces traffic congestion

Improves air quality

Provides safe and reliable commuter transportation

Offers innovative and sustainable transit solutions