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12/7/2020
Valley Metro's South Central Light-Rail Expansion project will receive $638 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly (both D-Ariz.) announced late last week.
The funding is awarded through a full funding grant agreement from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and represents the federal government's role in funding and helping manage the project. The project will receive $530 million through the FTA's Capital Investment Grants program and $108 million from the Federal Highway Administration.
The funding and project will "create jobs, expand transportation options and grow Arizona's economy," said Sinema in a press release.
The 5.5-mile South Central expansion will operate along Central and First avenues from McKinley Street in downtown Phoenix to Baseline Road. The project also includes an operations center, 18 light-rail vehicles, eight rail stations and two park-and-ride lots.
Construction is set to be completed and the extension open for operation in 2024.
The project will provide a connection between South Mountain Village's core area and downtown Phoenix. Currently, about 38 percent of the population in the area lives below the poverty level and 12 percent of households in the area do not own cars. The project will connect the community to Arizona State University's downtown and main campuses, downtown Phoenix and the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
"By connecting South Phoenix with the rest of the Valley Metro light rail, this project will give folks a reliable transportation option and increase economic opportunity," said Kelly.