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Phoenix leaders to reconsider adding light rail into Maryvale

By Christina Estes
Published: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 - 3:59pm
Updated: Thursday, October 21, 2021 - 8:47am

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A route map inside a Valley Metro light rail trai
Sky Schaudt/KJZZ
A route map inside a Valley Metro light rail train.

More than two years after rejecting light rail expansion into west Phoenix, the City Council will soon be asked to reconsider.  

On Wednesday, the city’s transportation and infrastructure subcommittee voted to support studying light rail options between Central and 91st avenues from McDowell to Camelback roads.

Councilwoman Betty Guardado, who represents the west Phoenix area known as Maryvale, said, “You know, light rail is something a lot of neighbors will definitely welcome into their neighborhoods as we’re talking about how traffic is awful down Indian School and Camelback. I think this is something that will be incredibly helpful.”

The subcommittee will recommend the full council approve the study, which would also include exploring additional options for bus rapid transit. In September, the transportation and infrastructure subcommittee recommended approval of the 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street option as the initial bus rapid transit corridor in the city. 

If approved, the study would involve public outreach and take up to two years. It’s estimated to cost around $950,000. According to a city report:

“Much of the area also qualifies as ‘Areas of Persistent Poverty’ under federal guidelines, with a poverty rate of at least 20% of the population. The FTA's Areas of Persistent Poverty Program Grant is available to provide 90% of funds for planning, engineering, and technical studies to improve transit services in such identified communities.”

In March 2019, the City Council rejected an extension of light rail west along Camelback Road after businesses lobbied against it, and the city of Glendale backed out. Since that vote, four council seats have changed representation.

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