Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from June 25-27
Jun 27, 2021, 6:00 PM
(Twitter Photo/@valleymetro)
(Twitter Photo/@valleymetro)
PHOENIX — Valley Metro will begin streetcar vehicle testing across Tempe on Monday, a controversial proposal to make more room for bicycles on a stretch of Central Avenue has been scrapped and Prescott Regional Airport dedicated its new passenger airport terminal.
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Streetcar vehicles to begin testing across Tempe on Monday
Over the next weeks and months, Valley drivers can expect to see streetcar vehicles make their way across Tempe as testing begins.
On Monday, vehicles will be out on the alignment completing various systems along with signals and safety tests, Valley Metro officials said in a press release Friday.
“Our first priority is operating a safe and reliable system,” Adrian Ruiz, Valley Metro director of safety, security and quality assurance, said in the release.
“It’s not quite time to get on board, but we want the public to be aware that they will observe and travel near the streetcars more frequently in the coming weeks. As opposed to light rail, streetcars share lanes with vehicle traffic, so be cautious when driving on or near the route,” Ruiz said.
The new system will include testing through checking the vehicle clearance at stations, and integration with traffic signals and the overhead electrification system.
Phoenix scraps plan to add bike lanes, cut vehicle lanes on Central Avenue
City planners have scrapped a controversial proposal to make more room for bicycles at the expense of vehicle lanes on a prominent stretch of Central Avenue.
The head of the Phoenix Street Transportation Department announced last week that the plan was scuttled in response to public pushback.
“Based upon detailed review of the community input received, the Street Transportation Department is no longer pursuing the proposed lane changes on Central Avenue, between Bethany Home Road and the Arizona Canal,” Director Kini L. E. Knudson wrote in a June 18 memo about the decision.
Under the proposal, 2½ miles of roadway would have gone from two lanes in each direction to one. That would have allowed for the addition of a dedicated center turn lane and bike lanes in each direction.
In addition to making Central Avenue safer for bike riders, the plan was designed to reduce left-turn collisions. However, city officials acknowledged that the changes would have slowed traffic, especially during rush hour, which elicited strong opposition.
New passenger terminal unveiled at Prescott Regional Airport
Prescott Regional Airport dedicated its new passenger airport terminal during a private ceremony last week, officials said in a press release Thursday.
Some airlines have already added flights that will arrive and depart from the $13.9 million terminal, the release said.
“Great things happen when there’s a great vision from an aligned city council, aligned mayors in the region and they get behind a great leader like Airport Director Dr. Robin Sobotta,” Willmeng CEO James Murphy said in the release.
The terminal design involved a large facility with a Douglas Fir timber ceiling, but officials reinforced that the elegant terminal was not the only improvement made to the airport.
A portion of the renovations included an overhaul of hangars, roads and taxis, as well as other portions of the airport.
Maricopa County allocates $435M in American Rescue Plan funds
Maricopa County officials announced Wednesday federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act have been allocated to help the state’s economic recovery needs related to the COVID-19 crisis.
Around $435 million in funding approved by the Board of Supervisors will be used, aiming to bring services and stability to people impacted by the pandemic.
“Maricopa County took immediate and aggressive action to ease the pain of our citizens during the worst of the pandemic,” Jack Sellers, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors chairman, said in the press release.
“Now, using ARPA money, we will build on the experience we have implementing targeted, successful assistance programs to support small business owners, seniors and persons with disabilities, folks struggling to get a job or pay bills, and people who are experiencing homelessness.”
Arizona man aids rescuers in Florida boy’s extrication from collapsed tower
An Arizona man visiting family in Florida aided rescuers in locating one of the missing residents among the collapsed Miami seaside condominium tower on Thursday.
Nicholas Balboa, 31, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad Show on Friday that he was walking his dog when he felt the ground shaking and heard what he initially thought was thunder.
After dropping his dog off upstairs, Balboa went back outside to find out what was happening. As he went down the street, he saw the partial collapse.
He initially started taking photos of the building when he heard 15-year-old Jonah Handler yelling from the rubble.
In his sandals, Balboa managed to climb over broken glass, rebar and concrete once he saw the boy’s hand come out from the debris.
