Arizona’s Valley Metro opens new 50th St Station, focusing on accessibility

Written by Staff and newswire report
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Photo courtesy of Valley Metro

Local government leaders and community members gathered April 25 to celebrate the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority’s (Valley Metro) opening of the new 50th Street Station along Washington Street in Phoenix, Ariz.

Officials noted that the opening of this station marks many firsts for the authority: the first completed project using voter-approved Transportation 2050 funds; the first new station within the existing 26-mile Valley Metro Rail corridor; being the first station to feature enhanced accessibility features; and being Valley Metro’s first station to have a permanent tribute to Arizona Congressman Ed Pastor.

Pastor was a lifelong advocate for transit and most recently served as chair of the Phoenix Citizens Transportation Commission for Transportation 2050, a statement noted.

While all light-rail stations are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible, with features such as level boarding and lowered fare vending machines, the 50th Street Station features an enhanced pedestrian detection crosswalk signal, wider platforms and more gently sloped entries.

Stacy and Witbeck, Valley Metro construction contractor, built the station without disrupting ongoing light-rail operations, officials said. Art featured at the station was designed by local artist Barbara Grygutis and features metallic shade structures depicting the native creosote bush.

The station opened for service on April 25.

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