Phoenix light rail route choice aims to draw passengers

[Source: Glen Creno, Arizona Republic] — The people who planned the Metro light-rail route that opens Dec. 27 wanted to attract a lot of passengers, connect urban hubs, and provide an economic lift to neighborhoods along the line.  The result is a 20-mile route that runs between north-central Phoenix and the western edge of Mesa.  The $1.4 billion system strings together schools, sports arenas, commercial areas, new condominium complexes, and neighborhoods.  Any new light-rail route is controversial, and Metro was no exception.  When the new line opens, there likely will be more questions and complaints about why the line runs here rather than there, why one neighborhood and not another.

Jack Tevlin is a retired city executive who was Phoenix’s deputy city manager for transportation when Metro was planned.  He’s familiar with the complaints.  “People say: ‘I live in Paradise Valley.  This doesn’t help me,’ ” Tevlin said.  “But this is just the beginning.”  Planners see this first stretch as the trunk of a system that will branch out as extensions are added.  The story of how the first stretch of light-rail track was planned is about financial, political and physical challenges, some compromises, some high hopes, and a little history.