Phoenix light-rail expansion plans prove divisive December 9th, 2010
Phoenix activist opposes proposed route for western extension
Arizona Republic, 2010-12-09
A Phoenix man is hoping to derail Metro light rail’s plans to lay track through his neighborhood as part of an 11-mile extension to the city’s west side.
John Maurin, who has lived in the St. Matthew neighborhood north of the state Capitol for all of his 61 years, has attended several public meetings about Metro’s proposal to build the extension on Jefferson Street from Central Avenue, past the Capitol and state buildings, through his neighborhood to Interstate 17, then north to Interstate 10 and west into Tolleson.
…[H]e’s collecting petition signatures to fight the plans….
The current line runs 19 miles through west Mesa, Tempe and central Phoenix. The proposed western extension would connect to the rail at Central Avenue near Jefferson Street, near the CityScape retail and office complex.
Metro wants the western extension to be finished by 2021. Construction would begin in 2015…
Metro plans to hold one or more public hearings about the extension in February. Starting in March, it plans to seek the endorsement of the Phoenix City Council, the Maricopa Association of Governments Management Committee and the Metro light-rail board. The Regional Council for the Maricopa Association of Governments will have the final say.
Rest of the story: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/12/09/20101209phoenix-light-rail-neighborhood-petition.html
COMMENTARY:
Other advocates have called for Metro’s next line to be on Thomas Road, which has the highest ridership bus line in the Valley. Metro is only planning two or three stops along Highway 10 between downtown Phoenix and Route 101 in the west Valley.
