Central Phoenix|East Valley Light Rail Transit
Valley Metro Rail undertook the development of a 20-mile light rail transit (LRT) starter system to provide an alternative public transportation option for the Greater Phoenix Metro Area. The system, which opened in 2008, includes five track segments, 28 stations, a bridge over Tempe Town Lake, a maintenance facility and eight park and ride facilities.
As the program management consultant to Valley Metro Rail, we managed preparation of the draft and final environmental impact statements that resulted in a favorable Record of Decision by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The team also developed the FTA New Starts report to justify the project and secure a $587 million Full Funding Grant Agreement.
We also oversaw the planning, engineering, architecture, real estate and utilities components of the $1.3 billion project, as well as the public involvement and coordination program. In addition, we designed Line Section 5, the longest and arguably most technically challenging segment, which begins in Tempe, runs through Arizona State University and extends to Mesa.
Daily ridership was expected to be 26,000 and grow to 50,000 daily by 2020. In September 2009, daily ridership averaged close to 40,000. The City of Phoenix's Community and Economic Development Department estimated that non-traditional use of LRT contributed to a 13 percent increase in revenue in the downtown Phoenix area.
We are currently under contract to study three emerging LRT corridors in the Phoenix region as identified in the Valley's Regional Transportation Plan.
- Related Projects: Transit, Transportation