Northwest Extension Phase II extends light rail from the 19th Ave./Dunlap Ave. Station to the former Metrocenter Mall. It will travel west on Dunlap Avenue, north on 25th Avenue, west on Mountain View Road and across I-17 with a terminus on the west side of I-17 near Metrocenter Mall. The extension includes three stations: 25th Ave./Dunlap Ave., 25th Ave./Mountain View Rd. and Metrocenter. The project includes a transit center and park-and-ride at the former Metrocenter Mall.

The extension is currently planned for operation in 2024. This timeline has advanced from 2026 with the passage of Phoenix Prop. 104 (Transportation 2050) in 2015. The design phase was completed in April 2020 and construction is anticipated to begin in August 2020. Community outreach occurs prior to and throughout construction.

Previous studies reviewed the option of crossing I-17 at Dunlap Avenue and concluded that crossing at this location was not preferred for the following reasons:

• The current Dunlap Avenue roadway bridge spanning I-17 cannot structurally accommodate light rail transit (LRT) without significant large-scale modifications; therefore, it requires a separate LRT bridge adjacent to Dunlap Avenue.
• Crossing I-17 adjacent to Dunlap Avenue and accessing the former Metrocenter Mall area from the south would require additional property acquisition, including existing buildings and businesses near I-17 and Dunlap Avenue.
• The intersection at I-17 and Dunlap Avenue can be high-volume during peak periods, providing limited capacity for light rail train movements. Using a dedicated bridge for light rail trains will lessen the impact on traffic flow across Dunlap Avenue.
• Turning light rail on 25th Avenue provides passengers more direct access to the employment, medical services, recreation and education opportunities located along 25th Avenue.

Inclusion of automobiles, pedestrians and bicyclists on the new I-17 light rail bridge at Mountain View Road has been studied. Inclusion of automobiles would require a significantly wider bridge and additional property acquisition, including existing buildings and businesses.

Pedestrians and bicyclists will have two options to cross I-17 between Dunlap and Peoria avenues:

• The existing multi-use path under the I-17 near the Arizona Canal will remain. A new pedestrian/bicycle traffic signal will be added on 25th Avenue to help pedestrians and bicyclists safely cross the roadway and light rail tracks while traveling on or accessing the multi-use trail.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists can cross I-17 by boarding at the 25th Ave/Mountain View Rd. Station and exiting at the Metrocenter Station.

Right-of-way impacts for the Northwest Extension Phase II are still being evaluated. City of Phoenix and Valley Metro will work closely with the individuals that are potentially affected by the proposed alignment.

The extension will open when the entire project is complete.

We are planning to provide security officers on-site at the transit center 24/7.

• 2004: Northwest Extension route approved by Phoenix City Council and Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors.
• 2007: Project split into two phases.
• 2014: Phoenix City Council approved the I-17 crossing.
• 2016: Phase I opened (19th and Montebello Avenue to 19th and Dunlap Avenue).
• 2016: Phoenix City Council approved accelerating the opening date of Phase II from 2026 to 2024. (Funded by Transportation 2050, a 35-year, multi-modal transportation plan approved by Phoenix voters in 2015.)
• 2018: 30% design was completed and shared with the public at an October meeting. The project designers and public artists were selected.
• 2019: Phase II completed 60% of its design work. Community outreach was vital during this period with public and stakeholder meetings.
• 2020: Project design was completed in April 2020; construction is anticipated to begin in August 2020.

The closing of Metrocenter Mall is unfortunate; however, the city is working with the property owners to attract a developer motivated to redevelop the area similar to the revitalization seen at Park Central. For additional information on development of the mall property, please contact Jeff Stapleton, Program Manager with the city of Phoenix, Community and Economic Development Department, at 602.534.3162 or jeff.stapleton@phoenix.gov.

A primary focus of the pre-construction and construction phases is to prepare businesses for potential impacts. During the current pre-construction phase, there is a custom business assistance program for each new extension – designed to best serve the specific business community of that area. Valley Metro and city of Phoenix will provide business assistance before and during construction. Valley Metro’s custom business assistance program includes special events, customized signage, marketing/social media assistance and accounting/financial planning.

Valley Metro fare inspection is conducted by uniformed security officers. Valley Metro fare evasion averages about 5%, meaning that 95% of riders are using valid fare.

Due to rigorous safety and security efforts, crimes in the major categories are negligible. Criminal activity or infractions that do occasionally occur on board vehicles or at stations are largely less severe and nonviolent in nature. Valley Metro security officers continually engage, educate and influence rider behavior to help prevent or deter any type of infraction. Valley Metro constantly monitors activity and evaluates safety and security enforcement, expanding enforcement as needed and based on increased service and ridership.

Voters approved the extension in 2000, 2004 and 2015; 75% of those who live along the line voted in favor of Prop. 104, known as Transportation 2050, which provides the local funding for the extension.

Opening on December 27, 2008, the initial 20 miles of light rail was a vision realized for community members and city leaders who had a dream more than a decade earlier. In 2018, Valley Metro developed the Building Communities + Enhancing Lives, A Quality of Life Report that examined progress in achieving that early vision, defined by four key goals: connecting communities, driving the economy, enhancing customer experience and fostering community health. The report concludes the Valley’s light rail system:

• Increases job and educational opportunities by providing an affordable, convenient and higher capacity transportation option.
• Offers freedom to connect to regional destinations, such as restaurants, museums and sporting events.
• Boosts economic development by attracting new businesses, jobs and customers.
• Provides a mix of mobility solutions today and for the future.

Heavy construction will begin in August 2020, but activity has begun in the area with some survey work. Project construction is expected to be complete in late 2023.

Phoenix Transportation 2050 plans add 42 miles of new light rail. The ballot measure includes a proposed extension to ASU West from Metrocenter; however, this extension has not been finalized as a part of the county’s Regional Transportation Plan.