The U.S. Secretary of Transportation has pledged $75 million to the construction of a 3.1-mile light rail extension between Mesa, Phoenix, and Tempe, Arizona.
Secretary Ray LaHood was joined at a grant signing ceremony last week by Congressman Ed Pastor, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff and local officials.
Secretary LaHood said: “The Obama Administration is committed to bringing more public transportation choices to fast-growing cities like Mesa.
“By investing in this light rail project, we are helping thousands of workers, seniors, students and others in Maricopa County connect with jobs, medical care, and all the services this region has to offer.”
The new Central Mesa Extension, operated by Valley Metro Rail, will run from Sycamore to Mesa Drive on Main Street and connect residents in the downtown hubs of Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe.
“In Arizona and across the country, people are choosing transit over traffic,” said Administrator Rogoff.
“Extending the popular Central Mesa light rail line will open more doors to economic opportunity and spur new commercial development downtown, while reducing congestion in one of the state’s fastest-growing regions.”
Federal funding will cover $128 million of the $199 million project, with the remainder coming from state and local sources.
