AZ DOT to solicit public input on proposed Phoenix-Tucson line Options

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 10/6/11:

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is holding a series of meetings this month to solicit public opinion on the feasibility and potential impacts of a proposed Phoenix-to-Tucson rail link.

More here.

[KevinKorell]

East Valley Tribune, Tempe, AZ, 10/8/11:

Environmental impact study begins on possible Phoenix-Tucson rail

State and federal agencies have started taking public comments on a Tucson-to-Phoenix rail line, the first step in a yearlong environmental impact study on the proposal.

More here.

[jacorbett70]

Arizona Daily Star with a map showing possible routes:

Six conceptual routes for a rail line connecting Tucson and Phoenix are under consideration by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

ADOT's $6.3 million Passenger Rail Corridor Study has been under way for a year. It will include a feasibility study and an environmental impact study, and it will be available to the public and policymakers next year.

As part of the study, nearly 3,000 people, including Tucsonans, participated in a survey last fall about their interest in intercity rail.

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-p...82ef76184b.html

[KevinKorell]

It appears from the map that no matter which of the 6 routes are chosen, the common part would follow the same trackage as the Sunset Limited. The westernmost of the 6 options would branch off at Maricopa, while the others would be further southeast of there. At any rate, hopefully this service would run early or late enough in the day to provide connections with the Sunset Limited at Tucson (or Maricopa), that is, short of the train returning to Phoenix itself. If the proposed train can return to Phoenix Union Station, and the West line can be brought up to passenger standards, then there is little reason why the Sunset can't serve Phoenix too.