Metro CEO Art Leahy sent an email to staff earlier this afternoon. Here’s the text of the email:

CPUC Grants Safety Certification for the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension

Metro received a letter from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) granting us a Safety Certification for the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension (MGLEE), which certifies the safety and security readiness of the MGLEE for revenue service operations beginning November 16, 2009.

As noted in the letter, CPUC staff has no major safety concerns in regards to the safety and security design, construction and operation of the MGLEE and is aware that the open construction punch list activities that do not impact the safe operation of the line will continue during the early phase of operation.