South Central Extension Explained

The South Central Extension is a light rail expansion project in Phoenix, Arizona. It will run from Downtown Phoenix south along Central Avenue to Baseline Road, adding and seven stations to the Valley Metro Rail system, while connecting with two park and ride locations.[1] Additionally, this project will form a light rail hub in Downtown Phoenix, between Central and First avenues to the west and east, and Washington and Jefferson streets to the north and south. Also included are new tracks for turn-around / staging purposes at both Third Avenue and Fifth Street for enhanced flexibility during peak service.[2]

Service pattern

Trains along the segment are planned to operate as a new line, originating at Baseline Road and running to the Downtown Hub before interlining with the existing light rail system and continuing north to the terminus at Metro Parkway.[3] An additional 17 light rail vehicles will also be purchased to accommodate the increase in runs.[4]

History

After receiving environmental approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in January 2017,[5] the project entered the design phase. Plans to reduce the number of general purpose lanes on Central from four to two to accommodate light rail tracks were initially met with backlash,[6] [7] and the city council's decision to proceed with initial plans prompted groups to initiate a ballot measure aimed at stopping all Valley Metro Rail funding (which ultimately failed).[8] Construction began in 2019, with completion expected in 2025.

In 2021, the city of Phoenix began offering financial aid to business along South Central Avenue which had been affected by heavy construction for the project.[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: South Central (Fact Sheet, Q2 2017). Valley Metro Rail. 5 October 2017. October 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171005151851/http://www.valleymetro.org/images/uploads/prop_reports/SCentral_Fact_Sheet_Q2_2017_Eng.pdf. live.
  2. Web site: Light Rail Hub Coming to Downtown Phoenix. City of Phoenix. 5 October 2017. September 27, 2017. December 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181218010539/https://www.phoenix.gov/news/publictransit/1848. live.
  3. Web site: South Central Light Rail Expansion Environmental Assessment . Valley Metro . Federal Transit Administration . 30 July 2020 . February 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220220175515/https://www.valleymetro.org/sites/default/files/uploads/event-resources/south_central_environmental_assessment.pdf . live .
  4. Wanek-Libman . Mischa . Valley Metro secures $638 million for South Central Light Rail Extension . 12 July 2023 . Mass Transit . December 7, 2020.
  5. Web site: South Central Extension Step Closer to Reality. Valley Metro. 5 October 2017. January 12, 2017. October 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171005152008/http://www.valleymetro.org/pressreleases/detail/light-rail-extension-one-step-closer-to-reality. live.
  6. News: Flaherty . Joseph . Bowing to Protests, Phoenix Will Reconsider South Central Light Rail Design . 12 July 2023 . Phoenix New Times . June 21, 2018.
  7. News: Trierweiler . John . Phoenix light rail extension: City to look into design of system . 12 July 2023 . ABC15 . June 20, 2018.
  8. News: Boehm . Jessica . Phoenix voters may again decide the future of light rail . 12 July 2023 . AZ Central . November 28, 2018.
  9. News: Parrish . Madeleine . Small businesses struggle along light rail construction despite financial assistance from Phoenix . 12 July 2023 . AZ Central . December 28, 2022.

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