Valley Metro sets opening date for Phoenix’s long-awaited South Central Extension

PHOENIX – The long-awaited Valley Metro light rail extension from downtown to south Phoenix has an official opening date.

The public will be able to ride the South Central Extension starting June 7, Valley Metro announced Wednesday.

📣 It’s official: The 5.5-mile South Central Extension/Downtown Hub will open for service on Saturday, June 7! This expansion will connect south Phoenix to the Valley Metro Rail system and introduce the Valley’s first two-line rail system!
Watch Phoenix Mayor Gallego’s full… pic.twitter.com/NAmNdkO5sF

— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) April 9, 2025

The expansion includes the new Downtown Hub, where the 5.5-mile extension connects with the existing light rail system near Jefferson Street and Central Avenue.

South Central Extension/Downtown Hub planning started in 2012, and construction got underway in 2019.

What is the Valley Metro South Central Extension?

The $1.34 billion project includes eight new stations, 14 new trains and a 110-space park-and-ride lot at the southern terminus of Baseline Road/Central Avenue, along with enhanced bike lanes and pedestrian pathways.

The construction included the addition of 550 trees and desert-adapted landscaping along with comprehensive underground utility upgrades.

Federal grants covered more than half of the price tag.

Officials are planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with details to be announced.

“It’s a big day for Phoenix as we celebrate the upcoming opening of the South Central light rail extension,” Mayor Kate Gallego said in a press release. “This fresh segment of our transit system will connect thousands of residents to jobs, health care and social opportunities in downtown and beyond.”

Valley Metro reconfiguring light rail system as Lines A and B

Last month, Valley Metro celebrated the first end-to-end test of the South Central Extension.

When the new section opens, the Phoenix-area light rail system will be reconfigured into two main lines that meet at the Downtown Hub.

The A Line will consist of the existing east-west track between downtown Phoenix and the eastern terminus at Gilbert Road/Main Street in Mesa.

When the South Central Extension opens later this year, Valley Metro will split the Phoenix-area light rail system into two main lines. pic.twitter.com/wslYjNpgAw

— Kevin Stone (@kstonezone) April 9, 2025

The line that runs mainly north-south will be called the B Line. It includes the South Central Extension and runs between the northwestern terminus of Metro Parkway and the Baseline Road/Central Avenue station.

Riders will be able to transfer between lines via four Downtown Hub platforms on Washington Street, Jefferson Street, Central Avenue and First Avenue.

In addition, the Tempe Streetcar route near Arizona State University will be known as the S Line.

Related

Valley Metro seeks artist for South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail openingPhoenix awarded $1M federal grant for light rail expansion south of downtownNew downtown light rail station named after former Phoenix mayorFederal agency says subcontractors underpaid workers on Phoenix light rail projectTempe streetcar service launches with free rides to be provided for first yearPedestrian left in critical condition after hit-and-run in west Phoenix