53 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

KSAZ-TV, Fox-10 in Phoenix, AZ, 5/31/18:

 

 

Some South Phoenix residents concerned over light rail extension project

 

A light rail expansion that is still in the design phase has some people and business owners trying to stop the project in its tracks.

 

 

The latest

[KevinKorell]

Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, 6/10/18:

 

 

Protesters in south Phoenix rally against proposed Central Avenue light-rail extension

 

 

Protesters rallied in south Phoenix Saturday in opposition of the proposed 6-mile light rail extension on Central Avenue, calling the plan a waste of taxpayer money and a death knell for small businesses.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

Column in Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, 6/12/18:

 

 

It's an insult to stop light rail in south Phoenix

 

 

 

 

The south Phoenix residents against the city’s 6-mile light extension on Central Avenue are understandably having second thoughts because their businesses are likely to take a hit.  But how did critics go from demanding four instead of two lanes to outright rejecting the $700 million light-rail extension approved years ago? 

 

 

Column

[KevinKorell]

KNXV-TV, ABC-15 in Phoenix, AZ, 6/20/18:

 

 

Phoenix light rail extension: Vote to be held Wednesday on whether to pause project

 

 

The City of Phoenix will vote Wednesday on whether or not to put 90-day pause on the South Central extension of the light rail system. 

 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

Reason, 6/22/18:
 

Phoenix's Government Might Shut Down Over High Stakes Light Rail Fight

 
 
 
 
A bitter fight is breaking out in Phoenix, Arizona, between city officials eager to construct a new light rail line out to the poorer, southern reaches of the famously car-dependent city, and south Phoenix business owners, who fear the transit expansion will spell the end of their livelihoods and their community.

 
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[KevinKorell]

KTAR Radio, 6/20/18:
 

 

Phoenix City Council votes to look at other designs for light-rail expansion

 

 

The City Council voted Wednesday to consider alternative designs for the proposed light-rail expansion in south-central Phoenix.  

 

 

This is the latest.

 

Really, it's hard to imagine what alternatives could work here.  If the main drag, in this case South Central Avenue, is too narrow, then a simple surface light rail line might not be the best alternative. Besides the lost street capacity, there also becomes an issue with drivers fouling the rail right of way, even when trying to get out of the way of emergency vehicles.   Now possible alternatives could be to run in a subway, elevated tracks, or even on another nearby street.  The first two would be far costlier than the current surface proposal, while the last would highly diminish the potential ridership that would patronize those businesses and take cars off Central Avenue.  Contemporary planning may be the victim here of poor planning way back when things were initially built.  

 

While I always say that a minimum of technologies would work best, this narrow situation may lend itself to running streetcars rather than light rail; this way the right of way can be maintained while also providing rail transit in the same corridor.  It would be a slower rail trip for sure, but it may be the only way to make everyone happy.    Doing Streetcar would not be new to Valley Metro, as they are going to open such a line in neighboring Tempe next year. So the two, while not connected, could share rolling stock.

[KevinKorell]

Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, 8/31/18:

 

 

Four lanes or two lanes? How you can weigh in on south-central light-rail project

 

 

A controversial south Phoenix light-rail project continues to divide the Phoenix community and City Council.

 

 

More

[KevinKorell]

KSAZ-TV, Fox-10 in Phoenix, AZ, 9/6/18:

 

 

Much-debated extension of Phoenix light rail under scrutiny

 

 

Much-debated plans to stretch Phoenix's light rail system into the city's south will be scrutinized by residents over the next two weeks.

 

 

Details

 

[KevinKorell]

KNXV-TV, ABC-15 in Phoenix, AZ, 9/4/18:

 

 

Valley Metro proposes alternative design to South Phoenix light rail expansion

 

 

Valley Metro is sharing some new ideas when it comes to extending the light rail from downtown to Baseline Road.

 

 

More

[KevinKorell]

Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, 9/26/18:

 

 

Phoenix will move forward with Central Avenue light-rail expansion as planned

 

 

 

After months of debate and uncertainty, Phoenix will move forward with the controversial light-rail extension in south Phoenix. 

 

 

Update