Monrovia Drivers Fuming Over Crossing Gates They Say Aren't Working Properly

MONROVIA (CBSLA.com) — Drivers in Monrovia are voicing concerns over the new Foothill Gold Line extension crossings, which they say aren't working as they should be.

Since the Gold Line crossing opened March 5th, people have been reporting issues with both the gate and the traffic lights.

"I'll be here at this light for 5 minutes, the train will come, and I'll wait another 5 minutes," said Rosa Figueroa, a Monrovia resident.

She's just one of many people living in Monrovia and complaining to the city.

"Phone calls every day, social media every day, people are pretty upset about it," said Tom Adams, the mayor of Monrovia.

There are two possible problems. The first involves a worldwide recall of a part made by manufacturer Siemens, while the other involves the traffic lights, all of which aren't synced yet.

"All sides are red," said Nina Rivas, another Monrovia resident. "Everybody is just sitting here looking at each other. It's bad. We avoid this area a lot."

The issue, the mayor says, is taking time out of people's lives.

"Somewhere here there is a sign that says, 'Metro helps with traffic.' And right now, Metro is not helping with traffic. We're confident they will. But right now, they're not," Adams said.

Metro operates the crossing while the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority built it.

Now, they say, they're working together to fix it as quickly as possible. And, they add, it's only a periodic problem.

"It needs to be fixed now," said Rivas.

Safety concerns have not been reported with the crossing.