By Jim Walsh | East Valley Tribune
Mesa will sacrifice some improvements at a series of intersections planned a decade ago to help finance the city’s share of Valley Metro light rail’s two-mile extension to Gilbert Road, projected to open in spring 2019.
Regional sales tax revenues earmarked for widening projects at five northeast Mesa intersections will be repurposed to pay for the city’s 5.7 percent share of the $186 million project.
Mesa’s tab for the extension grew by $1.3 million, to $10.6 million, as the result of an increase in construction costs and other factors, including a series of improvements suggested by residents that will make the largely barren stretch lusher and more appealing for pedestrians.
