Valley Metro’s South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail expansion opens

PHOENIX — Valley Metro’s South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail expansion opened in Phoenix on Saturday.

The South Central Extension added 5.5 miles of rail that connects south Phoenix to Valley Metro Rail’s new two-line system. The rail addition ends at Baseline Road and Central Avenue.

Meanwhile, the Downtown Hub provides a connection point where riders can switch between the two lines.

There were celebrations held in three different locations: the Baseline/Central Avenue Park-and-Ride, Ed Pastor Transit Center and the Downtown Hub.

Festivities included a “Cruisin’ Central” community procession with more than 250 community participants, a lowrider and classic car show, family-friendly activities, performances by local entertainers and more than 60 local business pop-ups and food vendors.

“This historic extension introduces the region’s first two-line rail system, creates safer streets and new bike lanes and adds shade and public art — all while connecting more residents to jobs, education, entertainment and other amenities across the Valley,” Mayor Kate Gallego said at the opening.

“Equally important, it provides a whole new opportunity to showcase the unique offerings.”

Details on South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail expansion

The project, which cost $1.34 billion, was made possible through federal and local partnerships as well as by funding from federal grants, Phoenix Transportation 2050 and regional Proposition 400 investments.

Currently the light rail system serves an average of 32,000 boardings per day, the extension is expected to add 8,000 more daily riders.

There is community-driven public art featured throughout the extension with 18 different installations that are meant to embody the character and culture of south Phoenix.

With the expansion, there are also eight new stations as well as a new park-and-ride facility located at the Baseline Road and Central Avenue stop.

There were community upgrades done along the corridor as well, including enhanced bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, more than 550 new trees, desert-adapted landscaping and comprehensive utility upgrades that replaced more than 30 miles of underground infrastructure.

Throughout construction of the expansion, Valley Metro and the City of Phoenix supported local businesses and provided more than 270 grants, totaling over $1.6 million, through the Small Business Financial Assistance Program.

The project created more than 5,000 local jobs, with more than 600 of those workers were hired from south Phoenix communities.

“As we now look westward for future light rail expansion and anticipate the extensions of the streetcar line in the East Valley, we’re in a magical moment in Phoenix’s history, and we can only keep up this momentum if we keep investing in ourselves,” U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton said.

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