Arizona Rail Passenger Association

“On January 8, 2007, Governor Napolitano issued an executive order directing the Arizona Department of Transportation(ADOT) to report on statewide transit options to serve and connect as efficiently as possible those Arizona communities for which such options would be cost-effective. The ADOT report will include information about transit needs as well as an assessment of potential public and private funding sources…

“The public is encouraged to attend an open house to provide input regarding options for mass transit, commuter rail, and light rail. The purpose of the open house is to identify public interest and concerns, and answer questions about the project….”

• Sierra Vista, 7 March, 5:30pm, Sierra Vista City Hall
• Tucson, 8 March, 5:30pm, Randolph Golf Course, Copper Room
• Phoenix, 13 March, 5:30pm, Burton Barr Central Library, 4th Floor
• Flagstaff, 14 March, 5:30pm, Flagstaff City Hall
• Lake Havasu, 15 March, 5:30pm, City Recreation/Aquatic Center

ADOT Flyer:

Arizona Republic, 23 February 2007

Federal funds should be used to help put light rail on Scottsdale Road if residents wanted it there, Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., says.

In an interview, the freshman congressman said he would support light rail on Scottsdale Road if voters approved it. The city is studying three forms of transit to put on Scottsdale Road: light rail, modern streetcars and bus rapid transit.

“That’s going to be a local decision whether they want it or not. But once that decision is made, if they would like it, I think it’s vital to this area,” said Mitchell, one of 75 members on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee…

Rest of the story

Arizona Republic, 23 February 2007.

Privatizing Williams Gateway Airport and extending light rail to promote the airport as a jobs and education center are among a list of recommendations in a new report to be released today by an internationally respected land-use study group…

Also absent is public transportation at the airport for students at Arizona State University Polytechnic and Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Both campuses, the report states, are oriented to commuter students and would be well served by immediate extensions of Valley Metro bus service. Extension of the light-rail system should also be emphasized.

Rest of the story

Arizona Republic, 23 February 2007

…Metro’s $64 million maintenance center officially opened Wednesday.

Within hours of the dignitaries leaving, work began to fully assemble the first built-from-scratch train. Train cars in silver tarpaulins and green netting sat outside the facility next to crates of plastic-wrapped wheel trucks. All were awaiting assembly inside…

“The progressive voters of our region have paid to try this on for size, and they will not be disappointed,” [Tempe Mayor Hugh] Hallman said.

Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker talked about the future.

“We will someday extend a rail to downtown Mesa,” said Hawker, whose city now has one mile of track…

Rest of the story

From today’s Arizona Republic –

Metro will ask the state to find $1.7 billion in state money to speed up light-rail plans and add extensions.

Metro Executive Director Rick Simonetta outlined the request at the agency’s meeting Wednesday. He wants to finish the voter-approved 57-mile system in 2020 rather than 2025 and add 23 miles of track by 2027…

Metro’s request must be approved by the Maricopa Association of Governments, which would forward it on to the Arizona Department of Transportation. ADOT Public Transportation Director Jim Dickey said no proposal is off the table, but the extent of the requests is substantial…

Metro will have to compete with calls for a statewide commuter rail network that’s widely expected to cost more than $1 billion. Sky Harbor Airport also said it would consider seeking money to complete a $1.1 billion people-mover connection to light rail.

Rest of the story