[Source: Casey Newton, Arizona Republic, July 11, 2008] — Light rail charged into downtown Phoenix on Thursday, making a successful maiden voyage into the heart of the Valley. The trip, which marked the start of the vehicle’s testing period in downtown Phoenix, is the latest milestone in the construction of the 20-mile, $1.4 billion system. “This is such an exciting day,” Mayor Phil Gordon said as he exited the train.
Construction on the system is about 90 percent complete and will finish around the end of August, said Rick Simonetta, CEO of Metro light rail. Next month, the organization will begin training operators for the 50 light-rail vehicles that will travel the route from north-central Phoenix to Tempe and Mesa. Trains, which are being tested in the East Valley, now will begin downtown tests.
Metro light rail used the occasion Thursday to remind motorists and pedestrians to obey all traffic signals along the line and to be mindful of the trains, which are quieter than other forms of transit and so can take pedestrians by surprise. The system opens Dec. 27, 2008. “We’re really happy to still be right on schedule,” Simonetta said. “This is just a tremendous milestone.”
Downtown Voices Coalition 