This initiative is specific to the City of Phoenix it does not currently affect light rail development in other cities. It also seeks to “redirect the funds” to finance infrastructure improvements in South Phoenix and throughout the city.
The initiative seeks to amend the city charter to terminate “the furtherance of any light rail extension or any other fixed rail line transit system” in Phoenix. “We recognize the community has needs and we are willing to do whatever it takes to benefit them by connecting communities and enhancing lives.” Initiative to stop the light rail expansionĪ petition was filed in November 2018, in an effort to stop future light rail projects in the city of Phoenix. “We’re pleased with the Phoenix Council decision and now the hard work begins,” said Scott Smith, Valley Metro CEO. Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams said the South Central project would connect neighborhoods to opportunity and spur economic development in the area. On September 26, 2018, the Phoenix City Council voted 6-2 to continue to move forward with the existing two-lane design for the South Central Light Rail Extension. Any delay taking the project past this deadline would greatly increase the risk of losing federal funding. This project’s deadline to move into Engineering was November 2018. FTA guidelines required that, in order to move forward toward a grant, a project must transition from Project Development into the Engineering Phase. With direction from voters, the Phoenix City Council approved the extension route and roadway design in 2014 and acceleration of the project in 2016.ĭue to the stage of the project, the lane decision had a significant impact on how the South Central Extension moved forward. The extension was approved by voters in 2000, 2004 and in 2015 75 percent of those who live along the line voted in favor of Prop 104, Transportation 2050, which provides the local funding for the extension. Some also shared that they weren’t aware of the early public meetings to discuss the design and felt the community outreach should have been more extensive. Community concerns ranged from traffic flow to possible business impacts.
The two-lane design reduces the number of lanes from two in each direction to one in a section of the alignment. The council direction came after community members expressed concerns over the approved two-lane design.
Phx light rail route full#
The council also asked that a comprehensive business and community engagement process be conducted, facilitated by an independent facilitator, to specifically discuss the full impacts, costs and benefits of the four-lane design.
On June 20, 2018, the Phoenix City Council requested that Valley Metro analyze an alternative that maintains four vehicle lanes on the South Central Extension to the fullest extent possible within the federally-approved environmental footprint.
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