53 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Mass Transit magazine, 1/7/21:

 

   Final grant agreement in place for Valley Metro’s South Central Light Rail Extension  

 

 

Valley Metro in Phoenix, Ariz., and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have finalized a $529.8-million grant agreement through the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program for the South Central Light Rail Extension/Downtown Hub project. FTA notified Congress in early December of its intention to award the funding at the end of a mandatory 30-day review period.  

 

Read

[CNJRoss]

USDOT/FTA news release

 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $529.8 Million for South Central Light Rail Extension/Downtown Hub in Phoenix, Arizona

 

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

 

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced a $529.8 million federal grant agreement with Valley Metro for the South Central Light Rail Extension/Downtown Hub Project in Phoenix, Arizona. The 5.5-mile extension will connect South Phoenix residents to the regional light rail system, improving access and mobility throughout this growing region.

 

"This $529.8 million federal grant agreement will better connect Phoenix residents to jobs, education, and essential services," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

 

The project will extend Valley Metro's light rail system from downtown Phoenix to the South Mountain Village, allowing residents along the corridor to access regional activity centers such as Arizona State University, downtown Phoenix, and the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport via the system. The total project cost is $1.35 billion with $529.8 million in funding provided through FTA's Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program.

 

 

"FTA is proud to join our partners in Arizona to improve mobility and spur economic development along this corridor," said FTA Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams. "Transit riders on the South Central Light Rail line can look forward to more efficient service connecting them to destinations throughout the Phoenix region, while supporting economic recovery."

 

Williams added that "this federal investment underscores the Trump Administration's commitment to fund infrastructure that creates jobs and helps communities continue to recover from the COVID-19 public health emergency."

 

FTA's CIG program provides funding for major transit infrastructure projects nationwide. Projects accepted into the program must go through a multi-year, multi-step process according to requirements in law to be eligible for consideration to receive program funds.

With this announcement, FTA has advanced funding for 41 new CIG projects throughout the nation under the Trump administration since January 20, 2017, totaling approximately $10.7 billion in funding commitments.

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[KevinKorell]

Valley Metro website:

 

 

 

Pardon Our Progress 

 

Pardon our Progress while construction begins on Central Station Redevelopment and the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub project in downtown Phoenix. These projects will transform the landscape of the downtown Phoenix core while creating another rail corridor to serve additional Phoenix communities.

In the meantime, bus and rail riders, pedestrians and motorists may need to adjust their regular trips due to construction.

Leanr more about the service impacts due to construction including light rail single-tracking in February and March 2021 and long-term bus detours in downtown Phoenix that began in October 2020.  

Light rail single-tracking

Downtown Phoenix bus service

We are excited about the future these projects hold to enhacing the lives of people in the Valley. Don’t forget to sign-up for our email update list to receive information about upcoming changes and reminders. 

Email Sign-up

 

[KevinKorell]

Chamber Business News, 3/8/21:

 

 

   Valley’s light rail getting another extension    

 

 

A new light rail extension to connect South Phoenix communities to education, work and nightlife downtown is advancing forward with a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). 

 

Story is here.   I am not certain how this is really news, given that the line has already been under construction for some time.

[KevinKorell]

Arizona Mirror, 10/14/21:

 

 

    South Phoenix residents seek preservation of historic palm trees displaced by light rail  

 

 

On a late summer afternoon, Victor Vidales walked along the one-acre lot of his backyard that is temporarily housing more than two dozen palm trees. Dried weeds and rocky soil crunched under his flip flops. 

 

Article here.    Looks like the transplanting has already either injured or killed some of the trees.

[KevinKorell]

KSAZ-TV, Fox-10 in Phoenix, AZ, 12/13/21:

 

 

    South Phoenix light rail construction hurting exotic plant business, bird rescue  

 

 

A business owner who also rescues animals in south Phoenix says light rail construction is strangling his business, and he doesn't know what to do to survive financially.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, 1/29/22:
 

   How Valley Metro is keeping light rail extension on track during disruptive omicron surge    

 
 
 
While a spike in infections from the omicron variant of the coronavirus has hampered some workplaces, construction of the south-central light rail extension in Phoenix is still on schedule.

 
 
Story here.
 
Cross-posted in Coronavirus Valley Metro and South Central threads.

[KevinKorell]

Railway, Track, & Structures, 5/12/22:

 

 

   Light-rail project has turned Phoenix into a construction maze, but work progressing nicely    

 

With light-rail construction happening throughout the city of Phoenix, drivers are complaining about confusing markings and barriers.

 

However, Valley Metro is hoping the confusion will subside in the coming weeks as crews continue to work on the South Central Extension Downtown Hub project.

 

Article

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 9/7/22

 

Valley Metro light-rail extension project reaches halfway mark

 

Valley Metro's South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light-rail project in Phoenix is now 50% complete.

 

More than 1.5 million of hours of work have been put into the project so far, with track installation and station construction continuing throughout the corridor, Valley Metro officials said in a press release. Nearly 13 miles of waterline has been installed, along with 5,000 feet of track and 13 pieces of special trackwork.

Continue here. 

 

[CNJRoss]

Valley Metro press release 9/1/22

 

South Central Extension/Downtown Hub is halfway to the goal line

 

 

After more than 1.5 million hours of work from construction crews, the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail project is now 50 percent complete. With new utilities upgraded throughout most of the project area, track installation and station construction continue throughout the corridor.

 

Already, more than 68,000 feet—nearly 13 miles—of new waterline has been installed on the project. Nearly 5,000 feet of track has been installed, including 13 pieces of special trackwork.

 

The project has also created hundreds of jobs for Valley workers. To date, 1,122 crew members, including carpenters, electricians, ironworkers, have been hired to build the extension.

 

To help mitigate the impacts of construction, Valley Metro and the City of Phoenix have provided $508,000 in grant funding to 64 local businesses in the project area through the Small Business Financial Assistance Program. Valley Metro’s free business assistance programs also include marketing, community events, accounting and financial planning and more to businesses in the construction corridor.

 

In addition to five new miles of track, the project includes new utilities, landscaping, repaved streets, sidewalks, eight new stations with public art as well as two new park-and-rides.

 

From Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego:

“Hitting the halfway mark on the South Central Extension is a great reminder of our shared purpose: to make it easier for residents to get to jobs, school and local businesses without the need for a car. We also recognize the deep history in the South Central Corridor, with many second and third generation families and businesses, all of whom take great pride in their community. This extension promotes equitable and inclusive communities and is an example of how Phoenix Public Transit and Valley Metro can ensure racial justice and economic inclusion through our programs and investments."

 

From Phoenix Councilmember Yassamin Ansari:

“From increasing shade at temporary bus stops with new boxed trees and tarps, to ongoing financial assistance for our local businesses, my office has been focused on making sure we quickly address the impacts of construction for our nearby residents. The halfway mark is an important one: it means we’re right on track to improve connectivity between our downtown and south Phoenix cores, expand clean transit options for our entire city, and continue to build opportunity for all.”

 

From Phoenix Councilmember Carlos Garcia:

“This milestone is a celebration of the ongoing work to expand public transit infrastructure, so that families and members of our community from all walks of life have the opportunity to succeed.”

 

From Jessica Mefford-Miller, Valley Metro CEO:

“It’s exciting to reach this milestone as we continue to enhance our regional transit system. With the opening of this extension in 2024, the Valley Metro Light Rail System will expand from one to two lines and will add five miles of light rail, making it easier for residents and visitors to travel throughout the metro Phoenix area.”