New Metro Gold Line extension reopens after truck crashes on tracks

PASADENA (CNS / FOX 11) - Rails on both sides of the Metro Gold Line reopened early Monday morning, about 24 hours after a truck crashed and burned on the Foothill (210) Freeway near San Gabriel Boulevard and came to rest on the
tracks in the center of the freeway, officials said.

The crash damaged the wires that power the trains, said Lt. J. Wargo of Sheriff's Transit Services. Officials suspended service on the brand new eastern extension of the Gold Line on its first full day.

The announcement that repairs were completed in time for the morning commute was made at 3:26 a.m. today, about 24 hours after the crash, Wargo said.

The crash was reported about 3:12 a.m. Sunday on the westbound side of the freeway. The tractor trailer was traveling west on the 210 Freeway when the driver lost control and slammed into a center guard rail, according to the California Highway Patrol. It closed lanes and forced a shutdown of the Gold Line between the Allen and Arcadia stations, officials said.

The driver was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, Lisa Derderian of the Pasadena Fire Department said.

The rig was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, Derderian said.

All freeway lanes were reopened about 3:15 p.m. Sunday.

The wreckage was cleared from the tracks, but shuttles were used to get Metro riders around the closure, spokesman Dave Sotero said.

The crash and closure came just one day and less than a mile away from where a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Duarte/City of Hope station for the new Metro Gold Line expansion.