Valley Metro to celebrate first end-to-end test of Phoenix light rail extension

PHOENIX – With the South Central Extension nearing completion, Valley Metro is getting ready to celebrate the new Phoenix light rail line’s first end-to-end testing.

A train will complete the full 5.5-mile trip from the new Downtown Hub to Baseline Road for the first time on Saturday morning.

Valley Metro is inviting the community to commemorate the milestone from 10 a.m. to noon at the Baseline/Central Avenue park-and-ride.

Dignitaries will deliver remarks at 10:15 a.m., and the train is expected to arrive at 10:30 a.m.

Several prominent leaders connected to the project will join the celebration, including Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Valley Metro CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller.

What to do at celebration of South Central Extension train testing

There will also be food, giveaways, project information and safety awareness.

Officials urge guests to enter the park-and-ride using the Baseline Road entrance.

The South Central Extension is now 96% complete. Valley Metro temporarily shut down several downtown light rail stations for testing last weekend.

Planning for the project began 2012, and construction got underway in 2019.

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