Updated Schematic Map June 19th, 2008
Here is an updated schematic map of proposed rail passenger service points in Arizona, showing existing and potentially revitalized rail lines, as published in the May 2008 newsletter:
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…
Tempe Election Results; Hallman, Mitchell call for Rail March 15th, 2008
According to the East Valley Tribune (see full story in the 15 March edition):
Mayor Hugh Hallman’s re-election was practically assured before the polls opened… Hallman, the only mayoral candidate on the ballot, received 12,839 votes, according to the official results…
Hallman, in an Arizona Republic Election Question Special, said:
…we need to continue our lead in moving the outer communities to commuter rail options to reduce the growing pressure on local freeways..
Also according to the Tribune,
Mark Mitchell [incumbent] was the only candidate to win outright… The other incumbent in the race, Hut Hutson, did not win outright and faces a four-way runoff on May 20 for the remaining two seats against challengers Julie Jakubek, Joel Navarro and Corey Woods…
Mitchell, in the Republic special, said he wants to work on:
working with our Scottsdale and Chandler city councils to extend light rail to their communities. …[and] start looking at whether commuter rail would help alleviate congestion on our roadways.
Valley cities considering new commuter systems March 4th, 2008
by Glen Creno in The Arizona Republic, Feb. 29, 2008
Plans for passenger rail in Arizona are moving forward, but significant hurdles remain before any system is built.
The Maricopa Association of Governments has released a long-awaited draft of its commuter-rail study, which outlines three options that would haul commuters from Phoenix suburbs into job centers in the central city. At the same time, key players in developing high-speed rail between Phoenix and Tucson have joined together to seek money to plan a system…
Rest of the story in the Arizona Republic
MAG Commuter Rail Plan February 28th, 2008
The Maricopa Association of Governments Commuter Rail Strategic Plan is now available for download from: http://www.mag.maricopa.gov/project.cms?item=7338
