The PHX Sky Train, a massive public works project now under construction at the east end of Sky Harbor Airport, recently became the topic of media attention when it was not included among the projects receiving federal stimulus funds announced by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion surrounding this project, and some of the misconceptions have been amplified by inaccurate reporting in the local media. The Sky Train project is of interest to me not only because of my support of rail transit in the Phoenix Metro Area, but also because I observe its construction every day during my commute to work. Whether I’m driving my own car or using a combination of light rail and bus route 44, I’ve witnessed the transformation of 44th Street between Washington Street and University Drive.
Despite careless wording in some media reports, the Sky Train is not a light rail extension. Instead, it’s an intra-airport transit system that uses equipment and technology distinct from light rail. In fact, in the strictest sense of the word, the Sky Train is not really a train at all. Instead of traveling on rails, it will use automated vehicles with rubber tires that travel on a fixed guideway. This design is fairly typical of intra-airport transit systems around the world. The Sky Train will be elevated over much of its route, a necessity within the busy environment of an airport. While mixing light rail trains with car traffic has been controversial due to train vs. car accidents, the issues would be much greater if trains were mixed with taxiing aircraft. In addition, security considerations mandate that the train not provide ready access to “sterile” areas beyond TSA checkpoints.
The construction currently underway will culminate in the opening of Phase 1 of the project in early 2013. This initial phase will connect three key destinations: The 44th St. / Washington light rail station, the East Economy parking garages, and Terminal 4. While this may cover only a portion of the large Airport, it addresses areas of heavy traffic. Right now, nearly 1,000 passengers per day connect from light rail to the Airport via the existing fleet of silver buses. Still, many arriving passengers at Sky Harbor complain that the light rail connection is insufficiently marked and too hard to find. Imagine how many more passengers will transfer to light rail when it can be reached via a quick ride on the highly visible Sky Train, which will pull up alongside Terminal 4.
Terminal 4 is also the most logical terminal for the Sky Train’s first phase because of its dominant role at the Airport. That terminal is a major hub for both US Airways and Southwest Airlines and handles approximately 80% of Sky Harbor passengers. It is also Phoenix’s gateway to the world since international flights from foreign carriers like British Airways and Aeromexico arrive and depart from there. Beginning in 2013, passengers using Terminal 4 will have a much quicker and more convenient means of connecting to both the parking garages and the light rail station to the east. What remains to be addressed in Phase 2 are the other terminals and the rental car center, which is located at the Airport’s far west end near 16th Street and Buckeye Road.
The official reason given for building the Sky Train in two phases is that doing so spreads out the cost over a longer period of time. As with any public works project, cost has been a source of controversy. This train’s length, longer than most intra-airport systems around the world, has resulted in a project cost almost as great as the initial 20-mile light rail starter line now in operation between Christown and west Mesa. Although the costs may be similar, the funding mechanisms for the two projects are distinct. The light rail line was funded by a combination of dedicated transit sales taxes and federal assistance. The Sky Train is being funded by the Airport itself with revenue collected from a variety of fees charged to airlines, passengers, vendors, and other airport users.
Beyond the desire to spread out costs over a longer period of time, there’s another reason why it may not make sense to build the Sky Train all at once. Sky Harbor’s long-term plans call for the demolition of the existing Terminal 2 and the construction of a new “West Terminal.” It seems logical to have all future construction at the west end of the Airport completed, or at least fully mapped out, before building the Sky Train in that territory. With those reasons in mind, Phase 2 of the Sky Train is scheduled to be completed in 2020. That’s a long way off, and the Airport’s attempt to garner federal stimulus funds was an attempt at a modest acceleration of the timetable. Specifically, the funds, had they been awarded, would have allowed the Sky Train to extend to Terminal 3 directly and Terminal 2 via a pedestrian walkway as part of Phase 1 in 2013. The rental car center would still not have been connected until 2020.
In coverage of the denial of stimulus funds, media reactions have tended to focus on the negative without regard for the dramatic construction already underway. It’s important to understand that this project is simply continuing along its original schedule. The only outcome from LaHood’s announcement is that Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 will have to wait until Phase 2 of the project, instead of being moved up to Phase 1. In an email, Claire Simeone Stern, Public Information Officer for the City of Phoenix Aviation Department, states: “If we had been awarded the $122 million federal grant the train would have connected to Terminal 3 (with a pedestrian walkway to Terminal 2) as part of the first phase. So, the funding would have enabled the project to go a little farther, a little sooner. However, since we were not awarded that grant we will continue on our original schedule.”
In other words, the Sky Train project is going forward even without the federal funds that were sought for a modest acceleration of its construction. Anyone traveling along the involved segment of 44th Street, formerly known as SR 153 before ADOT turned it over to the City of Phoenix, can see the construction all around. Ground just south of Washington Street is being cleared for the Sky Train’s eastern terminus, and a pedestrian bridge connecting that facility to the existing light rail station is already in place. Down in the East Economy parking area, structures are being built that will support the guideway as it is threaded between the two garages. In light of the ongoing work at the east end of the Airport, reports of the Sky Train’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Phoenix Sky Train Entrance
Photos and article by David Bickford
© 2009
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
David, thanks so much for this great post! I really enjoyed the update, it’s great to learn more about the progress of Sky Train.
.-= Rail Life´s last blog ..Phoenix Sky Train To Connect Light Rail Riders =-.
It’s great that they’re improving connections between terminals and to the light rail and local buses. But they’re forgetting about intercity travel. The new Sky Train will not connect to Union Station, which is understandable since Union Station hasn’t seen regular train service since 1996. But the Greyhound bus station, now also served by several Mexican bus lines, is just a few blocks west of the airport.
.-= henry@phoenix hotels´s last blog ..Fairgrounds Antique Market Phoenix March 20-21, 2010 =-.
Henry, thanks for commenting. One detail I forgot to mention is that the design of the Sky Train’s eastern terminus at 44th St. & Washington leaves room for a possible connection to any commuter rail line that may run along existing tracks there in the future.
I don’t know of any plans to have Phase 2 of the Sky Train stop at the Greyhound Terminal, but it would be nice to see that happen. It’s a shame that the Greyhound Terminal and the Airport are so close together, but there is no free connection between them. Passengers transferring between intercity bus and air travel must walk a long distance, take a cab, or hop on a Valley Metro bus running along Buckeye Road.
.-= David Bickford´s last blog ..Sushi 101 =-.
It is good to see more and more cities investing in improving their public transportation system. I think with the upcoming oil crisis this will be very important for big cities that want to prosper.
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