A lot of people have been watching for new status updates concerning the South Central Light Rail Extension in Phoenix. It sounds like some first steps are being taken to make this a reality.
Here’s a press release from Metro.
For immediate release
December 2, 2015
South Central Light Rail Extension Enters FTA Project Development
PHOENIX, AZ – The South Central light rail extension has been approved by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) into the Project Development phase of their Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. This marks the first step in receiving federal project approval under the CIG program and ultimately eligibility for federal construction funds.
“This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to provide enhanced transit services to a community with high transit ridership and supports neighborhood revitalization and connectivity between northwest, downtown and south areas of Phoenix,” said Phoenix Councilmember and Valley Metro Rail Board Chair Thelda Williams.
The Project Development phase is comprised of environmental analysis, preliminary engineering and documentation needed to advance the project to the next phase of the federal CIG program.
The proposed South Central Extension is a five mile corridor going south on Central Avenue from downtown Phoenix to Baseline Road.
The South Central Extension received federal recognition and funding in 2014 with a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the Department of Transportation (USDOT). Matching funds from Phoenix provided funds to begin an Environmental Assessment, which is scheduled for submittal to the FTA in early 2016. In addition, the South Central Extension is one of seven projects identified by the USDOT as a participant of the LadderSTEP Pilot Program.
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