Valley Metro solicits public opinion on recommended light-rail, transit extension

Valley Metro officials will host a public meeting Thursday to review the agency’s recommendations for a route and transit mode for the Phoenix West high-capacity transit extension.

The recommendations were developed after several years of study and community feedback, Valley Metro officials said in a prepared statement. At Thursday’s meeting, agency representatives are particularly interested in receiving public opinions on a proposed route that would extend light rail from downtown Phoenix through the State Capitol area to a connection with the Interstate-10 West freeway, they said.

Initiated in 2007, the Phoenix West study evaluated a range of alternatives for enhanced transit service to the West Valley. In 2008, light rail was approved in the I-10 West freeway corridor.

Further evaluation was conducted to determine where rail could be located in the corridor and how service would connect to the existing light-rail line.