A proposal for a long-awaited light rail extension south of downtown will be up for a vote before City Council in the near future.
The Phoenix Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee recommended allocating $1.5 million for the new spur of the light rail, known as the South Central extension, in the Subcommittee meeting on Jan. 12.
The original December 2014 plan between Phoenix and Valley Metro had a budget of $3.2 million — $1.6 million from the city and $1.6 million from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant through the United States Department of Transportation, totaling $3.2 million, according to Albert Santana, assistant city manager.
The grant’s purpose is to to conduct preliminary engineering and environmental assessments for the light rail extension, which are currently in progress.
With the additional $1.5 million just approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, the revised budget for the new light rail spur will total $4.7 million if approved by City Council, according to the City Council report.
Brannon Kleinlein, owner of Last Exit Live, a live music venue located along the path of the new light rail spur, said he was excited about the new access his business will have to a larger portion of Phoenix.
“It’s a great way to connect the current light rail in downtown to the Warehouse District south of the tracks,” Kleinlein said. “Some people are still a bit leery of walking south into the Warehouse District. This will be a great way for people all over the Valley to get to the venue easily and safely.”
The city will need to show the Federal Transportation Administration that the project is financially, technically and legally ready before federal funds can be used for the project. The city must meet all FTA requirements and pass evaluations before breaking ground.
Kleinlein is worried that the construction of the new light rail spur will cause his business to lose money, but he is hopeful the city will work closely with businesses to mitigate financial issues.
“I’m hopeful that the city will work alongside all businesses that will be affected by construction to manage the process as smoothly as possible,” Kleinlein said.
The South Central light rail extension received national attention last year when it was one of seven transportation projects that were given federal assistance in the transportation department Secretary Anthony Foxx’s Ladders of Opportunity Transportation Empowerment Pilot program.
Contact the reporter at Kmlane5@asu.edu.
