Metro’s Gold Line will soon stretch another 11.5 miles through the San Gabriel Valley east to Claremont. An announcement on The Source confirms that agreements and budgets have been approved for the $1.4 billion project to expand the reach of the rail system.

Beyond Los Angeles County, the Gold Line will also extend even further east to Montclair in San Bernardino County. The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority will handle funding on that portion, while Metro handles the LA County side of the extension. On the LA side, the construction would add new stops in San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, and Claremont. Funding for the track from Claremont to Montclair has yet to be finalized.

The rail system’s ability to connect the vast reaches of Los Angeles and the surrounding area was a key part of Measure M, which was approved by taxpayers last November. This announcement around agreements and budgets keep the project on track to break ground in October 2017. It’s projected to be completed by 2027.

On The Source, the extension is described as a safe transit alternative to the busy local freeways (Route 210 and Interstate 10) that offers a connection with Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line. When the train is completed, it will take about 40 minutes to travel from Montclair to Pasadena. A trip from Montclair to Los Angeles is estimated to take an hour and 15 minutes.