TEMPE (By Mike Walbert, Arizona Republic)
September 7, 2005 - An intensified construction effort begins today on
the East Valley portion of the Metro light-rail system, ushering in
nearly three years of excavation and track laying that will precede the
system's debut in late 2008.
Workers near Sun Devil Stadium on Veterans Way will uproot landscaping and remove old Union Pacific Railroad tracks, said Daina Mann, communications manager for Valley Metro Rail.
Traffic impacts will be minimal during initial stages, said Amanda Nelson, a spokeswoman for Tempe's transportation department.
However, significant restrictions are expected when removal of landscaping along Apache Boulevard's median begins in the next few weeks to make way for tracks, Mann said.
"If you've seen construction along Washington (Street in Phoenix), it'll be similar to that," Nelson said.
Sections of the $1.3 billion, 20-mile Metro light-rail system that swings through Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa have been under construction since early this year, including a bridge that is taking shape over Tempe Town Lake.
The rail line is broken into five segments of construction. Two extend through Tempe and run almost a mile into Mesa. Another segment runs from East Washington and 26th streets in Phoenix to Tempe Town Lake. Yet another stretches from the lake to Main Street and just east of Dobson Road in Mesa.
The rail's opening is scheduled for December 2008.
Valley Metro Rail has tried to soften the construction blow to businesses during the process.
Community advisory boards have been established, and contractors are eligible for incentives if they reduce dust and provide solid access and signage for nearby businesses, Mann said.
"It is a very strong incentive for the contractor to mitigate impacts to the community," she said.
Debbie Graver said she's realistic about what effects light-rail construction will have on Gracie's Family Thrift Store, the business she manages off Apache Boulevard in Tempe. She said she knows there are going to be roads torn up, lines of traffic barricades and clusters of signs that could scare customers away from the 20-year-old business.
"You can't be unrealistic and expect business to be the same," Graver, 48, said.
However, Graver said that there has been solid communication with project managers and that light rail's unveiling would breathe new life into the economy and the Valley's transportation system.
"In the long run, it's going to help," Graver said. "It's going to be a lot better for Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix."
A few miles down the road in Mesa, optimism isn't as high.
"We're not very encouraged," said Lois Daly, manager of family-owned and operated Watson's Flower Shop near Main Street and Dobson Road.
"We're opening a second location (in Gilbert) because we want to be accessible during construction," Daly, 52, said.
Rail and transportation planners say light rail will offer Valley commuters a viable transit alternative to the frustrations of gridlock.
"I think it's going to be another tool in our mobility toolbox (in the Valley)," said Eric Anderson, transportation director for the Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional planning body.
Valley Metro Rail estimates that a rail ride from west Mesa to downtown Phoenix would take about 40 minutes, comparable to some rush-hour conditions on freeways.
"Anyone who is living in west Mesa or parts of Chandler and Gilbert, it's really going to provide another option for them," Mann said.
One rail car will hold 130 passengers during rush hour, equivalent to 3 1/4 buses and about 100 cars, according to a MAG traffic capacity study.
Although it has its benefits, light rail will not be the cure-all for the Valley's transportation dilemma, since traffic is surging along with the population, Anderson said.
The tracks cover a limited area of the Valley.
"It won't free up enormous amounts of capacity (on freeways) in the near term," Anderson said.
The light-rail project is being funded in part by $587.2 million in federal money. Participating cities shoulder the remainder. Tempe and Mesa will contribute $170 million and $25 million, respectively.
Workers near Sun Devil Stadium on Veterans Way will uproot landscaping and remove old Union Pacific Railroad tracks, said Daina Mann, communications manager for Valley Metro Rail.
Traffic impacts will be minimal during initial stages, said Amanda Nelson, a spokeswoman for Tempe's transportation department.
However, significant restrictions are expected when removal of landscaping along Apache Boulevard's median begins in the next few weeks to make way for tracks, Mann said.
"If you've seen construction along Washington (Street in Phoenix), it'll be similar to that," Nelson said.
Sections of the $1.3 billion, 20-mile Metro light-rail system that swings through Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa have been under construction since early this year, including a bridge that is taking shape over Tempe Town Lake.
The rail line is broken into five segments of construction. Two extend through Tempe and run almost a mile into Mesa. Another segment runs from East Washington and 26th streets in Phoenix to Tempe Town Lake. Yet another stretches from the lake to Main Street and just east of Dobson Road in Mesa.
The rail's opening is scheduled for December 2008.
Valley Metro Rail has tried to soften the construction blow to businesses during the process.
Community advisory boards have been established, and contractors are eligible for incentives if they reduce dust and provide solid access and signage for nearby businesses, Mann said.
"It is a very strong incentive for the contractor to mitigate impacts to the community," she said.
Debbie Graver said she's realistic about what effects light-rail construction will have on Gracie's Family Thrift Store, the business she manages off Apache Boulevard in Tempe. She said she knows there are going to be roads torn up, lines of traffic barricades and clusters of signs that could scare customers away from the 20-year-old business.
"You can't be unrealistic and expect business to be the same," Graver, 48, said.
However, Graver said that there has been solid communication with project managers and that light rail's unveiling would breathe new life into the economy and the Valley's transportation system.
"In the long run, it's going to help," Graver said. "It's going to be a lot better for Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix."
A few miles down the road in Mesa, optimism isn't as high.
"We're not very encouraged," said Lois Daly, manager of family-owned and operated Watson's Flower Shop near Main Street and Dobson Road.
"We're opening a second location (in Gilbert) because we want to be accessible during construction," Daly, 52, said.
Rail and transportation planners say light rail will offer Valley commuters a viable transit alternative to the frustrations of gridlock.
"I think it's going to be another tool in our mobility toolbox (in the Valley)," said Eric Anderson, transportation director for the Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional planning body.
Valley Metro Rail estimates that a rail ride from west Mesa to downtown Phoenix would take about 40 minutes, comparable to some rush-hour conditions on freeways.
"Anyone who is living in west Mesa or parts of Chandler and Gilbert, it's really going to provide another option for them," Mann said.
One rail car will hold 130 passengers during rush hour, equivalent to 3 1/4 buses and about 100 cars, according to a MAG traffic capacity study.
Although it has its benefits, light rail will not be the cure-all for the Valley's transportation dilemma, since traffic is surging along with the population, Anderson said.
The tracks cover a limited area of the Valley.
"It won't free up enormous amounts of capacity (on freeways) in the near term," Anderson said.
The light-rail project is being funded in part by $587.2 million in federal money. Participating cities shoulder the remainder. Tempe and Mesa will contribute $170 million and $25 million, respectively.
