“The programs are open to individuals of all ages, from after-school engineering programs for middle schoolers, to internship opportunities for high school students and of course, job opportunities with the extension for those looking to begin a career in construction.”Īn online groundbreaking ceremony will be held in mid-August. “Our workforce development program has included a number of initiatives designed to foster interest in construction and engineering careers,” Ms. Businesses within the construction corridor are eligible to participate.Īlso, a workforce development program focused on education and career development related to the project will be launched later this year. Some examples of business assistance include special events, customized signage, marketing and social media promotion and accounting/financial planning. Phipps said the program is uniquely tailored to the needs of each business. The first part of construction is expected to begin in August and will involve utility relocations at various locations on Dunlap and 25th avenues, and on Mountain View Road.īusiness assistance programming will begin in August. In addition, coordination and collaboration with local area community groups, business owners and residents continue. Regarding the development of Metrocenter Mall, the property owner is actively pursuing redevelopment opportunities, using this light rail project as a catalyst.”Īccording to Valley Metro, representatives are beginning the real estate acquisition process and have started contacting property owners. “Having the terminus at the transit center creates an important multi-modal connection point for riders traveling from northwest Phoenix. “The transit center is served by four local bus routes and a the I-17 RAPID commuter bus route,” said Madeline Phipps, public information specialist at Valley Metro. Also, there are still a bevy of other retail and restaurants outside the mall between Dunlap and Peoria avenues, including Walmart and Barnes & Noble. ĭespite the recent closing of the 47-year-old mall, the property owner is actively looking for redevelopment opportunities, thus providing some reasoning towards extending the rail to the area. This map shows the upcoming extension of the light rail from 19th and Dunlap avenues to the Metrocenter area across Interstate 17. The project will be paid for through a combination of funding sources, with about 53% coming from the city of Phoenix, 7% from Prop 400 regional funds and 39% from federal grants, according to Valley Metro. The total cost of construction is $257,302,932. Adjacent to the transit center will be a four-story park-and-ride garage that will be accessible to the station. The existing transit center will relocate to below the elevated station. At the end-of-line, the Metrocenter Station will be the first elevated station in Valley Metro’s light rail system. However, construction will expand the rail west on Dunlap towards 25th Avenue, then north to Mountain View Road, and then west across Interstate 17 to the transit center next to Metrocenter. The existing line in north Phoenix ends at Dunlap and 19th avenues. The project will add 1.6 miles to the existing 28 miles of light rail that stretches from north Phoenix to Mesa. The project will be paid for through a combination of funding sources, with about 53% coming from the city of Phoenix, 7% from Prop 400 regional funds and 39% from federal grants. The total cost of construction is $257,302,932, according to Valley Metro. The project will be built by a joint venture with Kiewit-McCarthy. On July 16, the Valley Metro Rail board unanimously approved the light rail construction contract for the Northwest Extension Phase II in Phoenix. Twitter: though Metrocenter Mall closed its doors in early July, plans to expand the light rail to that area in north Phoenix remain on track.
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