Just over a week after the groundbreaking for the Gold Line light rail extension from Pasadena to Azusa, the commuter line's builder could get another $650,000 toward taking the tracks all the way to Montclair.

The money was included in a funding bill by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena.

The appropriation passed out of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and now must pass out of the full committee before it could go to the floor for a vote, according to information from Schiff's office released Tuesday.

The funding would pay for the preparation of environmental documents needed to begin construction on 12 miles of rail from Azusa to Montclair.

"The 29th Congressional District encompasses some of the fastest-growing communities in Los Angeles County, and we need to build the infrastructure to accommodate the growth in our region," Schiff said in a statement. "Best of all, this project will create jobs and spur much-needed economic activity in our communities."

On June 26, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority broke ground on the $690 million first phase of the extension. It is expected to be completed in 2014.

The next phase - deemed phase 2B - would cost about $600 million and would stop in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair and is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

The staff at the Gold Line Foothill Extension

Construction Authority hope to eventually extend the light rail to the L.A./Ontario International Airport.

ben.baeder@sgvn.com

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