[editor's note: today's post for JS Bach Week will be available online at 11.00am MST/1800GMT.]
So I read an article from the online Arizona Republic that reported that Glendale, one of the partners in the metro area’s light rail system, is considering changing its route from serving its historic downtown to serving Westgate and the University of Phoenix Stadium. The route that Glendale wants would be an extension of the I-10 West route, traveling up SR-101 to the area.
Glendale is pushing to change the route of the first light-rail line planned for the West Valley, seeing greater value in taking the line to the city’s bustling stadium district than its quaint downtown. But it’s likely an uphill battle, as Phoenix officials say they can’t provide the financial support that Glendale needs from them.
Building the alternative rail route would cost hundreds of millions of dollars more, require months of extra planning and support from other Valley cities. Backers of the new line argue it would boost regional economic growth and reduce the crush of rush-hour traffic along congested stretches of freeway. It could also ferry football fans to University of Phoenix Stadium, as well as hockey and baseball fans to nearby games.
[source: Rebekah Sanders and Scott Wong, The Arizona Republic]
The success of this line lies in having Phoenix fund the portions of the extension that are in Phoenix (from the 79th Ave/Interstate 10 station until SR-101 and Camelback Road, about six miles) fund the remaining two miles. Mayor Gordon and the City of Phoenix have said that there is no money for this extension.
I bring this up to go back to a post I wrote on 28 February 2009 – “Contemplating METRO’s extensions” – about a light rail extension that connects the existing twenty-mile line to both Downtown Glendale and Westgate/University of Phoenix Stadium. The key to linking Downtown Glendale and Glendale’s stadia lies in utilizing Grand Avenue as a principal corridor. This 14.5-mile link would also connect the state government offices via Washington and Jefferson Streets: 7.3 miles would be in Phoenix while the other 7.2 miles would be in Glendale. To illustrate the line, I created a map (click here).
I encourage you to read the full article by Rebekah Sanders and Scott Wong. Their article also reports on a proposal by Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon to link the light rail to ASU’s West campus. I don’t see how that will work, but then again, I haven’t seen any proposals on that suggested route.
At the least, it will be interesting to see how this turns out. I’ll be watching…
-Edward Jensen