Phoenix Regional planners discuss future light rail expansion plans

by | May 22, 2010 | light rail corridor, News & Information, Valley Metro

Regional transit planners are mapping out new light rail lines in spots that were inconceivable a few years ago, as they grapple with how urban Arizona takes shape in the coming 50 years. Early studies show that reasonable demand will exist for light rail to succeed on 44th Street, Camelback Road, south Central Avenue, Bell Road and other routes not previously planned, allowing a web to be built that is far more expansive than what is currently envisioned. Officials at the Maricopa Association of Governments, Arizona Department of Transportation and Metro point out these conceptual routes are not intended to replace the voter-approved plan for 57 miles of track. However, early findings show that the Phoenix region has a historic opportunity to rethink light rail’s role – and maybe change some original routes. Pushing the new ideas are changes in national policies, demographic trends and a deepening awareness of the causes and effects of the Great Recession. The federal government plans to ease funding for urban mass-transit projects, and Valley cities are adjusting their plans to cash in. Whatever happens will be decades away, and there is no budget identified to build it. But transit and other leaders say the country is at a pivotal moment that could shape the future of cities like Phoenix. The economy has a way of changing minds -courtesy of the Arizona Republic April 15,...

Robert L. Duffy High School near Phoenix Light Rail

by | May 22, 2010 | light rail corridor, News & Information, Real Estate Development

Would you like to attend school somewhere in the Solar System? You can now! The Robert L. Duffy High School (A Career Success School) is under construction near the light rail line in Phoenix, but is out of this world in imagination! The school has announced: ‘Our young people are our FUTURE, we need to prepare them for SUCCESS in their lives.’ ‘RLD High School dedicates to each and every student the best education possible and a high school experience, that is not only meaningful and engaging, but one that offers a career track and transition to the workforce, college or vocational training upon...