We have heard talks about the funding of METRO’s Mesa extension for quite some time, but the talks have been heating up lately as Mesa officials continue to explore extending the line further than originally planned. A new study has been proposed to “better understand costs, station locations and to get public feedback” for an […]
Arizona On Track For Passenger Rail
Today, Arizona’s State Transportation Board approved a state rail plan that should be a big step forward in potentially building passenger rail in Arizona. Our friend Serena Unrein from PIRG wrote about today’s activities in the Huffington Post. Serena’s “On Track For Passenger Rail” article explains the details and lets us know some of the […]
Relief For Mesa Light Rail Business Owners
We have been watching the news about funding for the Mesa light rail extension for quite some time. Yesterday, the East Valley Tribune reported about “Grants to aid Mesa merchants along light-rail route.” There has been a lot of discussion in the past about how to best help business owners along the line during a […]
Phoenix Blogger Speaks Out About I-10 West Extension: You Can Too
Recently, I read a blog post titled, “Light rail loses its way. “ In that post, we read about potential pitfalls of the extension as well as suggestions for alternatives. One thing that seems to resonate with just about everyone is the economic development opportunities that are available along certain routes. “Instead of moving through […]
Possible Funds Available For Mesa Light Rail Extension
Today, METRO released the following information about the possible funding of the Mesa light rail extension": Central Mesa extension identified in President’s budget for $38M PHOENIX, AZ — The light rail extension into downtown Mesa is recommended to receive $38 million in fiscal year 2012 according to the President’s budget released yesterday. “This is great […]
Party Time – New East Valley LINK to Light Rail
Ceremony Officially Opens Expanded LINK service in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa January 19 ribbon cutting at Chandler’s artist designed station Phoenix, AZ (Jan. 10) Please join Valley Metro, along with city and town partners, in the official opening of a new LINK bus service along Arizona Avenue and Country Club Drive. When: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 […]
Project Update: Mesa Light Rail Extension
Project status: In August 2010, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approved the Central Mesa Light Rail Extension into Project Development which marks the first step in receiving federal project approval and ultimately federal funds to build the 3.1-mile extension on Main Street from Sycamore to Mesa Drive. With this approval, METRO was able to begin […]
Is Light Rail Right For South Phoenix?
The question of the day is this: Is rail right for South Phoenix? The questions about light rail expansion, funding and route selections are always good for some pretty heated discussions. Sean Holstege wrote another good article today discussing the potential for a South Phoenix transit extension that could potentially extend the current line along […]
More Mesa Light Rail Info
We are hearing more about progress on the Mesa light rail extension. Below is a video with Vice Mayor Kyle Jones followed by a recent press release from Metro. Project design begins with utility engineering Beginning this fall, METRO will survey the Central Mesa corridor to identify locations of underground utilities and investigate the soil […]
New Options Available For Light Rail Funding?
Here is a press release from Arizona PIRG. What do YOU think? Options Exist for Funding Expansion of Light Rail Arizona PIRG Education Fund Releases Report Detailing Ways Transit in Phoenix Can Be Funded Today the Arizona PIRG Education Fund released a report outlining funding options that transportation officials can explore to expand the light […]