Transit Modes

There are several types of transit considered during the planning process. The

modes considered for a specific corridor will vary depending upon conditions, needs and opportunities unique to the corridor. Options can include:

Express Bus Buses that make fewer stops, and operate primarily on freeways during peak commute hours.

Bus Rapid Transit A limited-stop bus service that provides faster service and travel times. Bus rapid transit can operate in exclusive corridors, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, on expressways, or in mixed traffic on city streets. Bus rapid transit service can receive signal prioritization and feature quick, convenient fare collection.

Modern Streetcar Streetcars operate on tracks, typically mixed with auto traffic, and are powered by overhead power lines. They differ from light rail in their vehicle size and single-car operation. Stations are also more simple and frequent than light rail.

Light Rail Light rail is powered by overhead power lines and travels in a dedicated guideway alongside vehicle traffic or its own right-of-way. Light rail trains provide an extremely smooth and quiet ride, traveling at posted speed limits. A three-car train can carry as many as 600 passengers.

Commuter Rail Rail service that typically uses existing freight railroad tracks and equipment. Stations are often five to ten miles apart and operations usually focus on peak-commute hours with less frequent service during off-peak hours.

For more information on future transit corridors, please contact:

602.262.7433 info@valleymetro.org

valleymetro.org

To receive this information in alternative formats, call 602.253.5000/TTY 602.251.2039.

Para recibir esta información en formatos alternativos favor de llamar al 602.253.5000/TTY 602.251.2039.

For questions on or a copy of the Regional Transportation Plan, call the Maricopa Association of

Governments at 602.254.6300. Download the plan from the MAG website at azmag.gov.

LRT2252/12.06.13

FutureTransit

CorridorsBus Rapid Transit

Express Bus

Modern Streetcar

Commuter Rail

Light Rail

Future Transit Corridors brochure 12-05.indd 1 12/6/2013 2:59:24 PM

System Expansion

As one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, the Valley of the Sun has a critical need for an expanded

transit network.

The RTP identifies six future high-capacity transit corridors. Valley Metro Rail determines the specific transit route for each corridor. Light rail, bus rapid transit, modern streetcar or another transit mode are examined to determine what will best serve the corridor. They are built using local, regional and federal funds.

Central Mesa Light Rail Extension: A 3.1-mile extension from the current end-of-line, running east on Main Street through downtown Mesa to Mesa Drive. Scheduled to open in 2016.

Gilbert Road Extension: A 1.9-mile Gilbert Road project will extend light rail from Mesa Drive on Main Street to Gilbert Road. Scheduled to open in 2018.

Northwest Light Rail Extension: A 5-mile extension from the current end-of-line, running north on 19th Avenue toward Peoria Avenue. This extension will be built in two phases, with the first phase of 3.2 miles ending at Dunlap Avenue. Phase I is scheduled to open in 2016; Phase II in 2026.

Tempe Streetcar: The region’s first modern streetcar will run in the Mill Avenue corridor and on Rio Salado Parkway and/or Apache Boulevard. Scheduled to open in 2017.

Capitol/I-10 Light Rail Extension: An 11-mile extension running west from downtown Phoenix by the State Capitol area to the I-10 freeway ending at 79th Avenue. Scheduled to open in 2023.

West Phoenix/Central Glendale: 5 miles, runs northwest into downtown Glendale. Scheduled to open in 2026. Transit mode and route to be determined.

Northeast Phoenix: 12 miles, runs northeast towards Paradise Valley Mall. Scheduled to open in 2032. Transit mode and route to be determined.

South Central Corridor Study:* An evaluation of transit routes and modes that would serve the community between downtown Phoenix and Baseline Road along Central Avenue. Study complete in 2013.

*Study is part of Phoenix’s Transit 2000 plan and also being funded by a federal grant.

Planning Process

The planning process involves identifying options and refining plans for each of the future transit corridors

identified in the RTP. The RTP outlines regional transportation improvements through 2032.

Valley Metro Rail identifies the options—potential transit routes and modes—through a formal study process known as an Alternatives Analysis. Community participation is an important part of the process, ensuring that residents, business owners, community groups and policymakers have the opportunity to provide their input.

The community involvement process includes public meetings, more focused briefings with stakeholders and presentations to policy boards and organizations. Typically, public meetings are held in an open-house format with an opportunity to ask questions and provide comment.

In addition to looking at various routes and transit modes, the Alternatives Analysis identifies the potential impacts of each option and establishes the goals and objectives that will guide the evaluation of the options.

Following the in-depth evaluation, a Locally Preferred Alternative – typically a single route and mode – is identified and carried through a public approval process. The project then continues with environmental analysis, design, construction and, finally, operation. The project development process can take approximately 12 years depending on the project mode and alignment.

Valley Metro Rail is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. While

operating the 20-mile light rail starter line that opened in December 2008, Valley Metro Rail has also begun planning, design and construction of the 37 additional miles of high-capacity/light rail transit corridors identified in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).

Valley Metro Rail is a public, nonprofit, regional organization with five member cities—Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, and Chandler. Its Board of Directors includes representatives from each of the member cities and typically consists of mayors or city council members.

Future High Capacity Transit Corridors

60 60

202

202

101

101

101

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101

101

10

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17

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17

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19th

Ave

Cen

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Washington St

Apache Blvd

Washington St / Je�erson St

Camelback Rd

Mill Ave/3rd St

7th Ave

19th Ave/Camelback

3rd St

1st Ave/Je�erso

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12th St

24th St

Priest

Dr

Center Pkwy

University D

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Dorsey Ln

McClintock

Smith-M

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38th St

44th St

Indian School

Osborn

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McDowell

Roosevelt

Campbell

35th

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Dunlap Ave

19th

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Yorkshire Dr

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59th

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67th

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67th

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75th

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83rd

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67th

Ave

59th

Ave

75th

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7th

Ave

Montebello AveBethany Home Rd

Indian School Rd

Thomas Rd

Chaparral Rd

Thomas Rd

Grand Ave

McDowell RdMcDowell Rd

91st

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Papago FwyVan Buren St

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Baseline Rd

Guadalupe Rd

McKellips Rd

McDowell Rd

Beeline Hwy

Brown Rd

Main StBroadway Rd

Southern AveSuperstition Fwy

Buckeye Rd

Lower Buckeye Rd

Southern Ave

Broadway Rd

Baseline Rd

Dobbins Rd

75th

Ave

51st

Ave

43rd

Ave

27th

Ave

19th

Ave

15th

Ave

7th

Ave

7th

StCe

ntra

l Ave

16th

St

24th

St

32nd

St

Shea BlvdShea Blvd

Cactus Rd

Cav

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Glendale Ave

Northern Ave

7th

St

Greenway PkwyGreenway Rd

Thunderbird Rd

Cactus Rd

Peoria Ave

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56th

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64th

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Bell Rd

40th

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32nd

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Mayo Blvd

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PHX Sky Train

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Central S

tation

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Ed Pastor

19th Ave/Montebello

Sunnyslope

Sycamore/Main St

Central A

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Metrocenter

Paradise Valley Mall

Desert Sky Mall

Bell/I-17 (DeerValley)

Shea Blvd/SR-51(Dreamy Draw)

79th Ave/I-10

Glendale

Gilbert/McDowell

SR-51/Bell

Peoria

Mayo ClinicPhoenix Campus

Phoenix Sky HarborInternational Airport

Mayo ClinicScottsdale

HohokamStadium

Paradise ValleyCommunity College

GILBERT

MESA

SCOTTSDALE

PARADISEVALLEYGLENDALE

TOLLESON

GUADALUPE

PEORIAPHOENIX

TEMPE

20262026

20162016

20172017

20162016

20232023

20262026

20342034

20182018

LEGEND

Light Rail

Park-and-Ride

Transit Center

N 0 1 2 3 4 5Miles

Scale is approximate.

valleymetro.org602.253.5000TTY: 602 251.2039

Central Mesa Light Rail ExtensionGilbert Rd Light Rail ExtensionNorthwest Light Rail Extension Phase INorthwest Light Rail Extension Phase IICapitol/I-10 West Light Rail ExtensionSouth Central Corridor StudyTempe StreetcarFuture High Capacity/Transit CorridorsValley Metro Light Rail Line Valley Metro Light Rail Station

Note: Dates indicate calendar year openings

Future Transit Corridors brochure 12-05.indd 2 12/6/2013 2:59:27 PM