Light-rail line or streetcars favored in Scottsdale polling February 21st, 2007
by Brian Powell, Scottsdale Tribune
A solid majority of Scottsdale businesses responding to a Chamber of Commerce survey support bringing light rail or modern streetcars to town…
Among the 322 respondents to a survey released Tuesday, 62 percent support adding light rail or streetcar as soon as possible, 60 percent say more buses and bus routes are needed now and 81 percent support widening freeways.
When asked specifi cally about transit options that would be the greatest benefi t to the business community along Scottsdale Road — the city’s designated transit corridor — 64 percent favored light rail or modern streetcar.
Those fixed-rail options, along with bus rapid transit, are being considered by Scottsdale as part of its master transportation plan update, which is still under review and expected to be adopted by the City Council later this year…
Chandler: Dunn sees light rail in city’s future February 21st, 2007
by Edythe Jensen, The Arizona Republic, Feb. 21, 2007
Chandler residents may not be hopping on light-rail cars soon, but the city is making plans to join the Valley Metro Rail Board this year to plan for possible rail service in the city, Mayor Boyd Dunn said… during [his] annual “State of the City” address Tuesday…
“Freeways are not the only mode of transportation vital to our community,” Dunn said…
As the fifth and newest member of the board, Chandler will sit at the light rail planning table with Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix and Glendale. Membership will cost $50,000 a year, said Mike Normand, acting assistant public works director.
Rail through Chandler “is probably 20 years away, but we anticipate the system will eventually be extended down here. We have identified the corridors,” Normand said. Those potential corridors are Rural Road, Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard…
Survey: More buses now, rail in future February 21st, 2007
by Jane Larson, The Arizona Republic, Feb. 21, 2007
SCOTTSDALE – Businesses want more frequent bus service now and light-rail trains in the future, according to a transportation survey released Tuesday by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce…
In the short term, respondents said, their top choice would be more Scottsdale buses that connect more frequently with regional routes. Increased frequency was second, followed by more routes.
In the long run, a majority said, their top choice would be connecting the Scottsdale Airpark with light rail along Loop 101. Options for light rail along Scottsdale Road came in second, followed by the widening of arterial streets.
Automated train seen as airport solution February 21st, 2007
by Ginger Richardson, The Arizona Republic, Feb. 21, 2007
A $1.1 billion people-mover system that would make it easier for travelers to get into, out of and around Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is likely to become a reality.
Rather than crawling through morning traffic on congested Sky Harbor Boulevard and fighting for mere inches of curb space at crammed Terminal 4, a drop off would be located at 44th and Washington streets, just north of the airport [at the 44th Street light rail station].
