Valley Metro Adding 14 LRVs and Two Extensions
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
“Additional light rail fleet supports our mission of connecting communities, especially as we close in on the 2024 completion date of South Central Extension/Downtown Hub,” Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith said.
The Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority in Phoenix has awarded Siemens Mobility a contract for 14 additional S700 light rail vehicles, primarily for the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub, now under construction. Also under way is Northwest Extension Phase II.
The LRV order brings Valley Metro’s total count to 25. Eleven units are already in service. “This addition to the light rail fleet supports our mission of connecting communities, especially as we close in on the 2024 completion date of South Central Extension/Downtown Hub,” Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith said.
Utility work is now under way for the 5.5-mile, eight-station South Central Extension/Downtown Hub. It will run from downtown Phoenix to Baseline Road in south Phoenix. Track and street work are scheduled to begin by year’s end, with electrical system installations to start in early 2021 and station platform work to start by mid-2021.
Utility work has also begun for the 1.6-mile Northwest Extension Phase II project. In addition to a new transit center for light rail and bus service, the extension includes a rail-only bridge and two new stations, one of which will be Valley Metro’s first elevated station (artist rendering above). The extension will operate from 19th and Dunlap avenues to the former Metrocenter Mall area in Phoenix. Opening is planned for 2024.
The extension received $50 million under the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants Program in August.
Phase I of the Northwest Extension project opened in 2016. It expanded Valley Metro light rail 3.2 miles, running north on 19th Avenue from Montebello to Dunlap Avenue.
