Phoenix light rail extension near former Metrocenter Mall to open in January
The latest expansion to Valley Metro light rail will open to riders at the end of January. An additional 1.6 miles of track will connect to a new transit center near the former Metrocenter Mall.
Construction to extend the light rail northwest from 19th and Dunlap avenues began in 2020.
“I think when we continue to invest in our system with extensions like this, we're investing in our communities," said Juliana Vasquez-Keating with Valley Metro. "So we're investing into expanding transit, but we're also providing residents with new connections to jobs, education, health care, entertainment and more," she said.
The project features include three new light rail stations and a four-story parking garage adjacent to the new Thelda Williams Transit Center.
“I think for so long, Phoenix has been so car-centric that as we expand our public transportation system, we're kind of building more walkable communities. This is another step toward building more walkable neighborhoods around the Valley where people can work, live and just play," Vasquez-Keating said.
According to her, this phase is just one of “five high-capacity transit extensions planned.”
