By Jessica Boehm | Arizona Republic
Following a failed attempt to derail light rail last summer, expansion of the transit system is now full steam ahead in Phoenix.
Early construction has begun on the controversial 5.5-mile light rail extension into south Phoenix along Central Avenue. It’s scheduled to be complete by 2024.
While the south central extension has snagged most of the transit attention in recent months, Valley Metro is also pushing forward with another light-rail project that the agency hopes will connect downtown to west Phoenix hot spots and alleviate traffic on the always-congested Interstate 10.
The first phase of that project, which will connect the current light rail line to the Capitol, is also expected to be completed in 2024. The second phase, which will connect to the park-and-ride at 79th Avenue and Interstate 10 is scheduled to be finished in 2030.
