Metro Gold Line extension completed in Pasadena

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- The brand new Gold Line extension from Pasadena to Azusa was completed Wednesday afternoon.

The extension, which is 11.5 miles and cost $1 billion to make, includes stops in Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte and Irwindale. Metro had a goal to get more people to take light rail as a way to divert traffic on the congested 210 Freeway.

According to Metro, nearly 1.5 million commuters ride the light rail and buses on an average week day in Los Angeles County. The Gold Line extension is expected to add thousands more to that number.

Metro will be offering free rides on the entire Gold Line route for free when the extension officially opens on March 5.