PHOENIX (CBS5) -
Metro light rail will be extended 11 miles into the west Valley from downtown Phoenix after receiving approval Wednesday from the Maricopa Association of Governments.
The line will run through the State Capitol area to about 79th Avenue and the I-10 west freeway. It marks METRO's first freeway corridor project, providing the growing west Valley with a higher-capacity and more efficient transit option by 2023, officials said.
"It will help ease congestion on the busy Interstate 10 freeway and provide swift connectivity to jobs, schools, activity centers and entertainment options across the Valley," said Valley Metro CEO Steve Banta.
In 2007, METRO and the city of Phoenix launched a study to identify potential high-capacity transit improvements for the west Valley.
Throughout the years, the project team conducted technical analysis, partnered with the Arizona Department of Transportation and integrated comments from the public to define the route.
"Today's approval is another critical step toward delivering a comprehensive transit system that our city and our region deserve," Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said.
Within the freeway, the route will move from the median to the north side at approximately 47th Avenue to help create additional economic development.
"The light rail extension will connect vital west Phoenix destinations like Desert Sky Mall, Ashley Furniture Pavilion and other businesses to the rest of the Valley, creating a synergy that will help drive the area's economy," said Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski, who represents this district.
The project will now enter the environmental assessment phase, where early design work can also begin.
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