Phoenix gets $50M in federal funds for northwest Valley light rail extension

PHOENIX — Over $50 million in federal money was allocated to fund the second phase of the Valley Metro light rail extension in northwest Phoenix, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday.

The $50.6 million will help finance the project, a 1.5-mile extension of the light rail system from the already existing end of the line station at 19th and Dunlap avenues to the Metrocenter Mall off Interstate 17 and Dunlap Avenue.

“We’re really excited about this extension because it’s going to be an important connection between our west and northwest Valley residents, so it’ll be enhancing our regional system,” Valley Metro public information specialist Madeline Phipps told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“It’s actually going to be the first elevated station in our light rail system at the terminus for this extension.”

Phipps said that there will be a new transit center built underneath the elevated rail station.

“It’s going to really be a multimodal hub with a lot of options for people to connect to the transit system and access different parts of our region,” Phipps said.

And while ridership is currently down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Phipps said project construction started this week and is expected to be operational in early 2024.

“This project has been in the planning for a while and it’s the result of a lot of studies and design work to determine that this is a great place to expand our transit system so we can really reach riders in the west and northwest Valley,” Phipps said.

Those seeking more information or wishing to provide input can do so on Valley Metro’s website until Sept. 4.

KTAR 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup contributed to this story.

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