The 9 km Phoenix LRT extension has been opened on June 7, 2025, in a huge ceremony attended by more than 5,000 community members, along with federal, Arizona’s state and local officials.
“This historic extension introduces the region’s first two-line rail system, creates safer streets and new bike lanes, and adds shade and public art– all while connecting more residents to jobs, education, entertainment and other amenities across the Valley. Equally important, it provides a whole new opportunity to showcase the unique offerings of this thriving corridor,” the city’s Mayor Kate Gallego said.
The completion of the South Central /Downtown Hub (SCE/DH) extension needed an investment of USD 1.34 billion supported through strong federal-local partnership, federal grants providing more than half the funding alongside Phoenix Transportation 2050 and regional Proposition 400 investments.
South Phoenix is more accessible to others, attracting new customers, businesses and jobs to the area. In 2016, the Phoenix City Council approved advancing the opening date of the extension from 2034 to 2024. The advancement is funded through Transportation 2050, a 35-year, multi-modal transportation plan approved by Phoenix voters, and is expected to open for operations in 2025.
“We built this project with the community to achieve their vision, and we will continue to we advance the community’s vision to connect to the West and East Valleys, and bring greater mobility and economic opportunity to more of metro Phoenix,” the CEO of Valley Metro, Jessica Mefford-Miller, said.
There are eight new stations, a new park-and-ride facility at Baseline Road/Central Avenue and a transit hub converging in downtown Phoenix. The extension also includes a number of community upgrades such as enhanced bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, over 550 new trees and desert-adapted landscaping along with comprehensive utility upgrades replacing more than 30 miles of underground infrastructure.
The extension with the current light rail system in downtown Phoenix and operate south to Baseline Road. The project also includes a hub in downtown Phoenix, new stations and public art.
“As we now look westward for future light rail expansion and anticipate the extensions of the streetcar line in the East Valley, we’re in a magical moment in Phoenix’s history, and we can only keep up this momentum if we keep investing in ourselves,” the U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton said.
The Phoenix LRT extension is added to the existing two lines bringing the total length of the network to 56.4 km.
According to the state’s authorities, over the life of the plan, the funds are estimated to generate about USD 16.7 billion, or more than half of the plan’s overall cost. There will be an additional USD 14.8 billion in federal and county funds, passenger fares and other sources
The extension will add more than 8,000 daily passengers to the light rail system, which currently serves a daily average of 32,000 passengers.
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