Light Rail Arrives in Tempe June 20th, 2008
…Although Metro’s passenger service isn’t set to begin until late December, earlier this week the rail line through Tempe into Mesa saw its first train. It was a test run, one of many scheduled over the coming months…Hallman, while touting light rail as part of an integrated transportation system, took the opportunity to voice support for commuter rail.
Commuter rail is a transit alternative that would be part of a $42 billion transportation ballot initiative that may go before Arizona voters in November…
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.”
Oregon Congressman Touts Benefits of Light Rail March 15th, 2008
Casey Newton, a reporter covering Phoenix City Hall (as the “Hall Pass blog”) for The Arizona Republic, recently interviewed [full article link] Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democratic congressman from Oregon. A few highlights:
Hall Pass: You’ve advocated for light rail in Phoenix for years. What do you make of what you see?
Blumenauer: The thing I’ve heard is that there’s like $6 billion in investment, and the line’s not even open. It’s been a fascinating evolution for me to watch. Look at the challenges that you faced. There is some very entrenched, almost theological opposition to transit. And then look at the changes that are taking place. I find it encouraging.
It’s underway. It’s already influencing development patterns. And it’s coming at just the right time…
…communities that are invested in rail are consistently showing not just new development, but new development that is located in a way that doesn’t put a strain on the community. That the investments that are being made enhance transportation choices for people. These are people that aren’t going to have to burn a gallon of gas to buy a gallon of milk. That they can walk to theaters and walk to work or walk to restaurants or take a short trip. It helps you with a modest air quality problem you’ve got here. It deals with congestion. And something that is very important, it puts more money in people’s pockets. For most American families, transportation is the No. 2 expenditure. And if you do a rigorous accounting, for a number of folks it’s actually the top expenditure.
