Downtown Phoenix light rail stations closing for testing this weekend

PHOENIX — Those planning to use the light rail to get around downtown Phoenix this weekend will have to use buses instead due to closures.

Passengers won’t be able to ride the trains through the heart of the city for the majority of Saturday and Sunday, according to a news release from Valley Metro.

Rides will instead be provided via shuttle buses while Valley Metro performs system tests in preparation for the upcoming 5.5-mile South Central Extension/Downtown Hub.

What’s the workaround for light rail passengers to use?

The sole exception of this rule is for those needing a pickup after the Phoenix Suns game on Sunday, according to Valley Metro. Trains will serve eastbound passengers at the station at 3rd and Jefferson streets. Westbound passengers can go to the station at 3rd and Washington streets for service.

Outside of that one time frame, passengers will have to use shuttle buses instead.

Valley Metro said the buses will transport riders to all stations between 44th and Washington streets and Roosevelt and Central avenues.

Which Phoenix Valley Metro stations will be affected?

The following light rail stations will be closed for testing from Saturday at 3:30 a.m. (start of service) to Sunday at 12:59 a.m. (end of service):

• Van Buren/First Avenue.
• Van Buren/Central Avenue.
• Jefferson Street/First Avenue.
• Washington Street/Central Avenue.
• Third Street/Jefferson.
• Third Street/Washington.
• 12th Street/Jefferson and 12th Street/Washington.
• 24th Street/Jefferson and 24th Street/Washington.
• 38th Street/Washington.

Eastbound riders must exit the light rail train at the Roosevelt/Central Avenue station and board buses with signs that say “RAIL Shuttle East.”

Westbound riders will have to exit the train at the 44th Street/Washington Street station. They’ll board buses with signs that say “RAIL Shuttle West.”

On Saturday, shuttle buses will serve closed stations every 15 minutes, while on Sunday, shuttle buses will serve closed stations every 20 minutes.

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