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Even though Metrocenter Mall closed its doors in early July, plans to expand the light rail to that area in north Phoenix remain on track.
On July 16, the Valley Metro Rail board unanimously approved the light rail construction contract for the Northwest Extension Phase II in Phoenix. The project will be built by a joint venture with Kiewit-McCarthy.
The total cost of construction is $257,302,932, according to Valley Metro.
The project will be paid for through a combination of funding sources, with about 53% coming from the city of Phoenix, 7% from Prop 400 regional funds and 39% from federal grants.
The project will add 1.6 miles to the existing 28 miles of light rail that stretches from north Phoenix to Mesa. The existing line in north Phoenix ends at Dunlap and 19th avenues. However, construction will expand the rail west on Dunlap towards 25th Avenue, then north to Mountain View Road, and then west across Interstate 17 to the transit center next to Metrocenter. At the end-of-line, the Metrocenter Station will be the first elevated station in Valley Metro’s light rail system. The existing transit center will relocate to below the elevated station. Adjacent to the transit center will be a four-story park-and-ride garage that will be accessible to the station.
The total cost of construction is $257,302,932. The project will be paid for through a combination of funding sources, with about 53% coming from the city of Phoenix, 7% from Prop 400 regional funds and 39% from federal grants, according to Valley Metro.
Despite the recent closing of the 47-year-old mall, the property owner is actively looking for redevelopment opportunities, thus providing some reasoning towards extending the rail to the area. Also, there are still a bevy of other retail and restaurants outside the mall between Dunlap and Peoria avenues, including Walmart and Barnes & Noble.
“The transit center is served by four local bus routes and a the I-17 RAPID commuter bus route,” said Madeline Phipps, public information specialist at Valley Metro. “Having the terminus at the transit center creates an important multi-modal connection point for riders traveling from northwest Phoenix. Regarding the development of Metrocenter Mall, the property owner is actively pursuing redevelopment opportunities, using this light rail project as a catalyst.”
According to Valley Metro, representatives are beginning the real estate acquisition process and have started contacting property owners. In addition, coordination and collaboration with local area community groups, business owners and residents continue.
The first part of construction is expected to begin in August and will involve utility relocations at various locations on Dunlap and 25th avenues, and on Mountain View Road.
Business assistance programming will begin in August. Ms. Phipps said the program is uniquely tailored to the needs of each business. Some examples of business assistance include special events, customized signage, marketing and social media promotion and accounting/financial planning. Businesses within the construction corridor are eligible to participate.
Also, a workforce development program focused on education and career development related to the project will be launched later this year.
“Our workforce development program has included a number of initiatives designed to foster interest in construction and engineering careers,” Ms. Phipps said. “The programs are open to individuals of all ages, from after-school engineering programs for middle schoolers, to internship opportunities for high school students and of course, job opportunities with the extension for those looking to begin a career in construction.”
An online groundbreaking ceremony will be held in mid-August. Valley Metro is also hosting an online virtual public meeting later this summer to provide details about the construction schedule, designs for station art and the project’s final design.
As public works construction is identified as an essential service by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project is finalizing design with construction planned to begin in August. The project team and construction crews will adhere to current guidelines about health and safety protocols, with the health and safety of community members, the traveling public and construction workers as a top priority, Valley Metro states.
The project is expected to finish construction in late 2023 and open for operations in early 2024. That includes all parts of the extension: 1.6 miles of track, three stations and the park-and-ride/transit center.
Further expansion of the light rail west into Glendale hit a snag in recent years. While officials there declined to extend light rail into the city, there is a chance that high-speed rail could come through Glendale, as reported in the Glendale Independent in 2019.
However, Valley Metro is extending the light rail from Washington Street and Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix south towards Baseline Road, as well as west along Interstate 10 towards 79th Avenue and Van Buren Street. Plans in that area call for the light rail to pass the Arizona State Capitol.
Learn more about the Metrocenter Station project at www.valleymetro.org/northwest2.
People can also contact Michael Book, community outreach coordinator, at mbook@valleymetro.org, 602-256-5811 or 602-256-5811 (TTY).
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