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28th February 2009

Contemplating METRO's extensions

posted at 11.00 pm under themes Downtown Phoenix, Light Rail and tags , , ,

I know the extensions of Phoenix’s METRO Light Rail are pretty much set in stone and that there most likely won’t be any new extensions any time soon. But I thought of a line that should be considered. It links downtown Phoenix (and ultimately Tempe and Mesa) to the State Capitol complex, the State/County Fairgrounds, downtown Glendale, and Westgate/University of Phoenix Stadium.

Right now, the light rail turns off of Washington and Jefferson at Central Ave and 1st Ave respectively. New tracks would be installed that would connect the existing system with my proposed 14.5-mile extension.

Here are the stops that I propose:

  • 2nd Ave/Washington and Jefferson (City/County complex)
  • 7th Ave/Washington and Jefferson
  • 16th Ave/Adams and Jefferson (State complex)
  • Van Buren/19th Ave
  • Roosevelt/19th Ave
  • McDowell/19th Ave/Grand (State/County fairgrounds)
  • Thomas/27th Ave/Grand
  • Indian School/35th Ave/Grand
  • Camelback/43rd Ave/Grand
  • Bethany Home/51st Ave/Grand
  • (optionally, Maryland/55th Ave/Grand)
  • Glendale Ave/59th Ave/Grand (Downtown Glendale)
  • 63rd Ave/Glendale (Glendale High School)
  • 67th Ave/Glendale
  • 71st Ave/Glendale
  • 75th Ave/Glendale
  • 83rd Ave/Glendale
  • 91st Ave/Glendale (Westgate/University of Phoenix Stadium)
  • (optionally, 94th Ave/Maryland, Jobing.com Arena/University of Phoenix Stadium)

Reasons why I believe this is a good alignment:

  1. It connects the existing light rail line to the state complex, the fairgrounds, downtown Glendale, and the Cardinals stadium.
  2. It would foster redevelopment along Grand Avenue and also Glendale Avenue
  3. It would bring in Glendale, one of the partners in METRO Light Rail, as having light rail.
  4. Grand Avenue has not had local transit service since the Yellow Line was phased out about a decade ago.
  5. The Glendale Avenue corridor, I believe, has a high share of transit ridership.  Adding light rail would be highly benefical to them.

For a visual of this route, here’s a link to a map I made illustrating this alignment.  The blue line is the route and the blue dots are the stations.

I welcome your comments.

View Comments
  • Edward Jensen
    Cool - thanks for the information, Nick!
  • ed, I do believe they have considered railroad rights-of-way but the amount of freight traffic and logistics of scheduling are one of several issues to deal with, making this option next to impossible.
  • Rail Life
    the first portion of this map is being studied right now as there is an obvious need to get people to the Capitol. I have been surprised at how opposed the people from the residential areas near there have been. Very interesting meetings, so far.

    Grand Avenue would be really cool but poses some "difficult challenges." (per Metro)

    Great ideas!

    If I can find my copies of materials from these meetings, I'll send them your way.

    [EJ - I wonder if they have considered using some of the railroad rights-of-way. If our Metro just runs on standard-gauge tracks (~4'8" gauge), then theoretically light rail should run just fine on those tracks. Wild thought, but it should be checked into.]
  • Good proposal. It actually consolidates several needs into one route.
  • Your plan sounds fantastic! I know Glendale and sports fans would like to see that happen soon. West Gate is actually a fun destination, but the thought of getting in a car and fighting traffic is not appealing. I like how your line takes people from the Downtown core to the Grand Ave area. My friend owns a studio over in that part of town, and although I hoofed it with no problem from Central Station to his place, light rail would be even better. BTW: love the new look!!
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