The six-mile extension of the Gold Line from Union Station to East Los Angeles is the largest construction project under construction in Los Angeles County. The project has a construction value of $869 million and total project value of $899 million.

Construction on the extension began in 2004 and is scheduled for completion in December 2009. However, the project is ahead of schedule and could be completed by next summer if it keeps up the pace. It is more than 80 percent complete.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority executives said they are pleased the project is on budget. The project also has logged more than 3 million construction hours without a serious injury.

Eight stations will be on the Gold Line extension, which will end at Atlantic Boulevard. One of the notable features of the project is the construction of twin 1.7-mile tunnels.

Officials do not yet have ridership projections for the Gold Line, but expect heavy use of the system. The area served has shown above-average use of other forms of public transportation.