FTA gives environmental clearance to Valley Metro’s South Central LRT extension

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Valley Metro

Valley Metro may begin final design work on the planned South Central Light Rail Extension after securing a key federal approval.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project following extensive environmental review of the extension. The review studied potential impacts to the neighboring environment including noise and vibration, air quality, as well as historical and archaeological resources. The receipt of a FONSI is required before Valley Metro and the city of Phoenix, Ariz., could begin final design work on the project.

“Extending light rail to South Central Phoenix is vital to our long-term economic success,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “Phoenix residents told us they wanted to invest in transportation. With this approval, and with the FTA’s consistent support for our long-term transit plans, we have moved closer to becoming a more-connected city and region.”

The proposed five-mile project will connect with the current light-rail system in downtown Phoenix and run south to Baseline Road. In January 2016, the Phoenix City Council approved accelerating segments of the future high-capacity/light-rail transit system to advance into the Regional Transportation Plan, which includes the South Central light-rail extension. With the acceleration, the South Central Extension will open in 2023 rather than 2034. The advancement will be funded through Transportation 2050, a 35-year, multi-modal transportation plan approved by Phoenix voters in August 2015.

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