The U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Valley Metro have signed a USD 529.8 million federal funding agreement for Phoenix South Central LRT extension / Downtown Hub project. USD 1.35 billion is the total cost if the project and the allotted funding was provided through the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Programme. In December, the Department of Transportation has provided a USD 638 million funding for the project.
The 8.85 km extension will offer South Phoenix residents to the regional light rail system, improving access and mobility throughout this growing region.
The extension will connect South Phoenix to the regional light rail system, operating from downtown Phoenix to Baseline Road. The project involves the construction of 18 new stations and a transport hub in downtown Phoenix, between Washington Street and Jefferson Street. The 3rd Avenue loop will connect to the future Capitol/I-10 West light rail extension project, covering the construction of a 16-km line which will connect the existing Valley Metro Rail system in downtown Phoenix, to the 79th Avenue Park-and-Ride.
The South Central extension light rail project will begin at McKinley Street between 1st Avenue and Central Avenue creating a loop to the existing Valley Metro Rail. It will continue south on Central Avenue to Baseline Road.
The project will extend Valley Metro’s light rail system from downtown Phoenix to the South Mountain Village, allowing residents along the corridor to access regional activity centers such as Arizona State University, downtown Phoenix, and the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport via the system.
“FTA is proud to join our partners in Arizona to improve mobility and spur economic development along this corridor. Transit riders on the South Central Light Rail line can look forward to more efficient service connecting them to destinations throughout the Phoenix region, while supporting economic recovery,” FTA Deputy Administrator Jane Williams said.
The Phoenix South Central LRT extension is expected to be completed in 2024.
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