USA: The Federal Transit Administration has approved a $529·8m funding package from the Capital Investment Grants programme for Phoenix’s Valley Metro’s $1·35bn South Central Light Rail Extension/Downtown Hub project.
The 8·9 km, eight-stop light rail extension to South Mountain Village ‘will better connect Phoenix residents to jobs, education, and essential services’, said then Federal Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on January 6.
The project includes the construction of a Downtown Hub light rail interchange, as well as enhancements to the entire corridor including utilities, pavements, landscaping and local art.
In 2016 Phoenix city council brought the planned opening date forward from 2034 as part of a 35-year multi-modal Transportation 2050 plan which was approved by local voters.
The extension was designed by AECOM and is being built by Kiewit, with opening planned for 2024.
