![]() ![]() Here's a list of the locations of the free Metro park-and-ride lots: park-and-ride locations. But this includes eight lanes, or approximately 176 miles of roadway, and 13 exit and entrance ramps compared to two lanes or 14 miles of light rail and seven stations.You can park your car for the day at one of the many park-and-ride lots of the Metro. If we allow for the same 2 percent annual inflationary increases over the four-year build-out phase, the total increases to approximately $1.9 billion, or about $86 million per mile. Its projected cost is $1.75 billion dollars. Freeways give more bang for the buckĪs a comparison consider the South Mountain Freeway, which will begin construction this year. It's a 22-mile, eight-lane freeway with 13 entrance and exit ramps and an expected completion date of 2020. I am not a corporate accountant or treasurer, but I’m not sure that spending $897 million to build seven miles of light rail is the best use of limited funds. I also know that if we took that same $897 million and divided it equally among the projected 8,250 daily riders the cost per rider is $108,727. MORE: Mesa light rail expansion debuts to thousands of riders I also know that light rail eliminates a lane of roadway that is currently used by cars, trucks, and Valley Metro’s own buses. I understand that light rail is environmentally responsible, not to mention cool and hip. RELATED: Northwest Phoenix light-rail extension to open in March I probably cannot explain the cost benefit ratio between buses, light rail, or freeway construction, but I do know how to research web pages, in this case Valley Metro’s 2014 figures for the operating costs per mile for bus and light rail service. Bus service operating costs are $7.65 per mile light rail operating costs are $12.60 per mile. The system is expected to serve 8,250 commuters daily. If we split the difference between these projections we arrive at $735 million. Allow for a 2 percent annual increase for materials, labor and associated expenses over the 10 year build-out phase and the total increases to approximately $897 million. The proposed light rail extension will have seven stations but at the time of publication it was unknown if any bridge work would be needed, or the extent of road configurations required. RELATED: South Phoenix light rail on fast track, to come a decade early The estimated cost for this system ranges between $560 million and $910 million in today’s dollars based on the number of stations, bridge work and traffic configurations, etc. But I hope the entertainment/sports venues option was at least considered. I’m not a transportation planner and I’m sure the proposed route, for reasons unexplained, is considered the best choice. ![]() Visitors from the far East Valley and metro Phoenix could ride light rail to this more desirable destination and Valley Metro could provide bus service from the light rail station to the event locations. This would be near the Arizona Cardinals' stadium, Gila River Arena, Tanger Outlets and Desert Diamond Casino.Īllhands: No, transit STILL doesn't go there If I were designing the light rail route, I would continue on Camelback Road to 91st Avenue and then north to Glendale Avenue. Route should go to bigger West Valley draws The approval is preliminary, but the expectation is that the plan will be approved by the necessary government agencies and should be completed within the next 10 years.ĭowntown Glendale is a nice area and we love to visit during Glendale Glitters and Chocolate Affaire, but it's not a destination location or a major employment center. The Arizona Republic recently reported that Valley Metro selected the preferred route for extending light rail approximately seven miles from the existing station at 19th Avenue and Camelback Road, passing near Grand Canyon University and Alhambra High School and ending in downtown Glendale. Watch Video: Valley Metro picks preferred Glendale light-rail route ![]()
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