Valley Metro lands $15.9M grant for streetcar extension

Valley Metro in Phoenix has been awarded a $15.9 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant for the Rio East-Dobson Streetcar Extension (REDE).

The REDE project will expand the existing 3-mile Valley Metro Streetcar by an additional 4.35 miles, from Tempe into west Mesa, Arizona, Valley Metro officials said in a news release. The funds will help move the project into the engineering and environmental phases.

“The nearly $16 million award will help advance the Rio East-Dobson Streetcar Extension into engineering as we seek to add travel options, create safer streets and improve air quality and connectivity in a corridor rich with diverse neighborhoods, activity centers and extensive growth,” said Valley Metro CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller.

There is a demand for an efficient transportation network that connects west Mesa residents to education, jobs and economic centers, said Mesa Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia, who is the incoming chair of Valley Metro Rail.

"The RAISE grant is a critical investment to move this project forward. I look forward to working with stakeholders and the community to help make this project a reality,” he said.