8 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

East Valley Tribune, Tempe, AZ, 5/27/17:

 

 

Mesa ponders tie-in to Tempe project, and Fiesta light rail

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The East Valley’s growing network of trains and trolleys could grow even more thanks to recent action by the Mesa City Council.

 

Full story

 

[KevinKorell]

Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, 10/30/17:

 

 

 

Valley Metro: Should light rail or another transit option serve Fiesta Mall area?

 

 

Valley Metro is evaluating whether light rail, rapid transit bus or a modern streetcar could be implemented in Mesa's Fiesta District.

 

Article here.    This would really not be an extension beyond the section now under construction to Gilbert Road in Mesa, but rather a branch that would meet the existing line at Main Street & Alma School Road.

 

I am not sure about this one; I think more focus should be placed on expanding LRT in other directions from downtown Phoenix.  The item alludes to the fact that this mall is already starting to fail like so many others --- so would LRT really stimulate business and save the mall, or would it be a route to nowhere if the entire mall falters?   FWIW just south of that mall is the Superstition Freeway, so perhaps the area could at very least serve as a park & ride for the light rail.

[KevinKorell]

East Valley Tribune, Tempe, AZ, 11/16/20:

 

    City officials ponder trolley route for west Mesa  

 

Mesa officials are studying the possibility of implementing a trolley in the western part of the city.

 

But don’t expect to catch a ride on the new streetcar from Mesa Community College to downtown Mesa anytime soon.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

KTAR Radio, Phoenix, AZ, 1/23/22:

 

 

     Phoenix receives $920K for 5-mile streetcar route development in Mesa  

 

 

The city of Phoenix Public Transit Department on Friday received a $920,000 grant to manage the planning of 11 stations along a 5-mile streetcar route that would connect four activity centers within the city of Mesa.

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

KPNX-TV, Channel 12 in Phoenix, AZ, 3/17/22:

 

 

   Here's where Mesa wants to build a new streetcar route    

 

 

Planners in Mesa are in the process of pinpointing the best corridor to build a proposed five-mile streetcar route through the city's west side. 

 

 

Here is the latest.

 

Obviously it would be great if Mesa built essentially an add-on to the Tempe Streetcar, which should be open later this year.   I believe that the Tempe Streetcar starter route already flirts with the border between Tempe and Mesa.  However it should not be built too closely parallel to the existing LRT route so that the two don't compete for passengers.

[KevinKorell]

Fronteras, 3/6/23:

 

 

 

   Study approved to examine possibility of Tempe streetcar extension into Mesa  

 

 

 

Since its inception last year, the Tempe streetcar has made travel more accessible for residents in the city. Now, a study is being launched to examine expanding the service to Mesa.

 

Full story

[KevinKorell]

KNXW-TV, ABC-15 in Phoenix, AZ, 3/8/23:

 

 

   Tempe and Mesa approve funding for study on expanding streetcar      

 

 

A pair of East Valley cities each voted to fund a study that could improve connectivity for commuters between the two municipalities.

 

Whole story

[KevinKorell]

Axios Phoenix,  9/18/23:

 

 

      Tempe Streetcar exceeded expectations in first year    

 

 

In its first year, the Tempe Streetcar beat ridership expectations and is already on track for expansion.

 

Entire story

[KevinKorell]

KPNX-TV, Channel 12 in Phoenix, AZ, 4/15/24:
 

 

    Proposed streetcar line would extend from ASU to Mesa 

Valley Metro is in the process of mapping out an extension for the Tempe streetcar, which would bring the line into Mesa.

 

Entire story