Commuter rail line linking city, Phoenix a must March 15th, 2007
Editorial, Tucson Daily Star, 14 March 2007
Arizona needs to move aggressively to create a commuter rail line between Tucson and Phoenix and to beef up mass transit throughout the state.The sooner we build these transportation improvements, the better… we think it is essential for Arizona to get moving with plans for a modern transportation system that includes a high-speed commuter rail line between Tucson and Phoenix, light-rail systems for intracity transportation, modern electric streetcars and energy-efficient buses…We look for strong advocacy, especially from Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, who have risen to positions of prominence in both the Republican Party and the Senate. Aggressive advocacy is essential to meet the growth needs of Arizona, and we look to our governor and our delegation in Washington to exert leadership in this area.
Light-rail plans in northwest Valley adjusted March 15th, 2007
Phoenix city leaders have decided to build an initial three miles, not the full 4.6 miles, of the first light-rail extension… Two years ago, the Phoenix City Council opted against sending tracks across Interstate 17 into Metrocenter Mall. Instead, the line was to end at a business park on the east side of the freeway.
The latest plan… would build the northwest extension in two phases. The first phase, a 3.2-mile line, would open on time in 2012 using $273 million in local funds… The new plan stops tracks at 19th and Dunlap avenues, rather than 25th Avenue and Mountain View Road… officials said they faced the choice of building all of the line late or using money exclusively from a 2000 local sales tax to finish as much of it on schedule as possible… federal requirements had grown too onerous and time-consuming…
At Glendale’s insistence, Metro is studying three ways to bring rail into the city: along Interstate 10 and north to University of Phoenix Stadium; west into downtown as planned, or along a new unknown route to Arizona State University West. For the first time, Metro planning maps show a dotted line to ASU West…
Read the rest of the story in the Arizona Republic (15 March 2007)
Manross touts progress, blasts foes; vows to fight light rail March 4th, 2007
Arizona Republic, March 3, 2007
Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross reached out to a range of constituents this week, giving a State of the City address that promised to block light rail from downtown and to build unfunded projects with bonds…
“Let there be no question about it, that while I support improved transit opportunities on our signature road, I do not support light rail on Scottsdale Road going through the heart of downtown,” she said…
“The preemptive strike against light rail on Scottsdale Road is ignorant and premature,” said Bill Crawford, a 2006 write-in candidate for a City Council seat who has talked of opposing Manross in 2008. “She is pandering to the vocal minority who is organizing against it…”
Manross: No light rail for Scottsdale March 2nd, 2007
Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross, during her State of the City speech Thursday, came out against light rail on Scottsdale Road and called for a bond election next year to finance tourism projects…
ADOT Public Meetings in March February 26th, 2007
| March 13, 2007 | ||
| 5:30 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
| March 14, 2007 | ||
| 5:30 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
| March 15, 2007 | ||
| 5:30 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
“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: 
