Town of Maricopa offsers Bus to Downtown Phoenix April 30th, 2008
The town of Maricopa is now connected to Downtown Phoenix by two daily round-trips of the “Maricopa Xpress.”
For now, buses whiz past Chandler, Ahwatukee, and Tempe and only stop in downtown Phoenix, but it’s a great start.
Study [says] Tempe a busy hub for Chandler residents April 30th, 2008
Tempe is more of a hub for Chandler residents than officials thought.Mike Normand, Chandler transportation planning manager, said he was surprised by a recent consultant’s report that estimates more than 15,000 people from west and central Chandler drive to Arizona State University every day and more than 60,000 make a daily Chandler-to-Tempe trip for business, shopping or dining…
The report was aired at a recent City Council study session. It’s part of a two-year study by Metro, which is trying to decide the best way to extend the initial 20-mile light-rail line being built…
Marc Soronson, project manager for the Tempe South Alternatives Analysis, said… his priority is extending the light rail line… to Southern Avenue… Normand said Chandler wants to be at the table [on further extensions]…
Planners’ biggest hurdles will be putting a light rail line over or under a Union Pacific track north of Broadway Road and extending a rail line on the already congested Rural Road..
Jyme Sue McLaren, deputy public works manager for Tempe, said city designers are preparing to suggest a hybrid light rail line along Rural Road that would share left turn lanes with cars and wouldn’t requiring elimination of driving lanes or destruction of street-side businesses.
Coalition calls for new tax for road, rail, transit April 29th, 2008
State estimates project that by 2015, transportation funding will decline to the point that much of the state will only be able to maintain and preserve existing roadways…
The assessment is at the heart of a new planning document identifying nearly $42.6 billion worth of critical transportation needs. In the 21-page report, the Arizona Department of Transportation says the state is at a transportation-funding crossroads…
The proposed solution is a new 1 cent statewide sales tax over 30 years and more participation by the private sector in transportation projects. The money would pay for roadways, rail projects… [emphasis added - ARPA staff]…
The plan is being pushed by a group of business and economic-development leaders called the TIME coalition… [and] Gov. Janet Napolitano…
Light-rail construction: Is the end finally near? April 29th, 2008
Road and speed restrictions remain along Central Avenue… but Metro light rail officials say that will soon end.A ceremony Tuesday marked the last of the concrete poured and rail installed along the 20-mile line…
The [line] is expected to be complete by the end of the year, with trains running Dec. 27.
Rick Simonetta, CEO of Metro light rail, proudly told the group: “We are on time and we are on budget.”
Southern Arizona ARPA Membership Meeting April 27th, 2008
| May 10, 2008 | ||
| 12:30 pm | to | 2:00 pm |
ARPA Members and Guests are invited to attend the Southern Arizona ARPA Membership Meeting in the Ventana Room of the Marriott University Park Hotel, 880 East 2nd Street in Tucson on Saturday, 10 May 2008.
The ARPA Board of Directors will meet at 10AM, which you are welcome to attend.
The program will begin at 12:30. Shellie Ginn of the City of Tucson DOT will present the current status of planning for the Tucson Modern Streetcar line approved by voters in 2006. ARPA President Rob Bohannan will tell us of the current discussions at the state level for Tucson-Phoenix passenger trains. We will also hear an update on Phoenix’s light rail which will open by the end of this year.
After the meeting, you may visit the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum with a ride on the Old Pueblo Trolley streetcar.
Please call 520.326.1828 to RSVP. No charge for ARPA Members; non-members may request luncheon menu.
