Bumping post removal at Sierra Madre Villa will clear way for Gold Line Foothill Extension

Tonight and Thursday evening, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority will perform work at Sierra Madre Villa Station that will literally clear the way for the first phase of the Gold Line Foothill Extension.

Crews will be removing bumping posts on the eastbound and westbound tracks at Sierra Madre Villa station each night after 9:30 p.m. During this time, customers traveling between Allen and Sierra Madre Villa Station may experience minor delays of three to five minutes as trains share one track around the work.

For those wondering what a bumping post is: our official definition here at Metro is “a structure attached to the tracks at the end of a section of track to prevent rail-borne equipment from rolling off the end of the track.” With track work now complete on phase one of the 11.5-mile Foothill Extension, removing the bumping posts will facilitate connection of the existing Gold Line with six brand-new stations from Arcadia to the Azusa/Glendora border.

7 replies

  1. Is the bumping post the reason they make that short stop prior to the platofrm at Sierra Madre?

    • Hi Gary,

      Yes and no.

      The stop is actually caused by the train “losing its cab signal,” which is part of the train protection system that automatically slows or stops trains when entering a restrictive situation–like nearing the end of the track.

      Lily Allen
      Writer, The Source

  2. With all the progress being made when will the gold line extension open. Will it be sooner now?

    • Hi Chad,

      At this time, it is still scheduled to open in early 2016. We will update if there are any changes.

      Anna Chen
      Writer, The Source

  3. Whoo hoo! Yeehaw!! Whoopee! 🙂 😀
    Can’t wait to see rolling stock on the new track!