Two Arizona light-rail projects to begin
Written by jrood
Last summer, the sagging economy spurred Phoenix to indefinitely delay construction of the northwestern extension of Metro light rail, The Arizona Republic reports. But to prepare for future light-rail construction, work in the corridor continues, in July the city plans to begin two projects that will beautify 19th Avenue frontage roads near Bethany Home Road and Dunlap Avenue. Motorists will see road restrictions for several weeks starting in August.
Meanwhile, the city has
continued to acquire homes and businesses along 19th Avenue, demolishing
structures and preparing the land for light-rail-related utility relocation and
improvements.
Based on staff projections,
the city won’t have the $200 million necessary to build the 3.2-mile extension
until 2023.
"I hate that
date," Maria Hyatt, an assistant to the city manager, said. "We are
looking (for money). This is a huge priority for us. If we found a funding
source, it would take about six months to rebid the project and three to four years
of construction."
For about six weeks this
summer, drivers can expect one lane of traffic in each direction and
construction delays on 19th Avenue between Butler Drive and Townley Avenue.
Beginning in August,
installation of the Phoenix Arts Commission-funded gabion walls is scheduled in
the Washington Park area north of Bethany Home Road. The eight-foot-tall wall,
made of stacked steel cages filled with fractured granite, will be 3 feet wide.
Some gabion walls between
Butler Drive and Townley Avenue will have four-foot-tall sections. The shorter
sections will feature ornamental metal elements. The city also plans to build six-foot-tall
block walls near State Avenue and Las Palmaritas Drive.
The end result will be new
frontage roads and artistic landscape elements, Hyatt said.
