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Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows $1 Billion Phoenix Light Rail Expansion
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Phoenix has opened a major expansion of its Valley Metro Rail system after an inauguration on Saturday The South Central Extension and Downtown Hub adds nearly five miles of new track and eight new stations, linking downtown Phoenix with the city's south-central corridor. The Context The light rail project cost $1.34 billion and took over a decade to plan and build. It is the largest light rail expansion in the Phoenix area's history. The new infrastructure reconfigures the downtown light rail system by creating a two-line hub at Washington and Central Avenue. What To Know The project broke ground in 2019, and was funded through a mix of federal, state, and local dollars, with roughly $638 million coming from the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grants program. Phoenix voters had previously approved the extension through the city's Transit 2000 and Transportation 2050 initiatives. A map of the Valley Metro Rail System in Phoenix, Arizona. A map of the Valley Metro Rail System in Phoenix, Arizona. Valley Metro While the expansion primarily focused on laying track and building stations, the project also included enhancements to pedestrian infrastructure and the installation of more than 20 public art pieces by local artists. Train service now operates every 12 minutes, with the new stations located at key community points, including Lincoln Street, Buckeye Road, and Southern Avenue. There are also hubs at Central Avenue and Washington Street. What People Are Saying Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said at the inauguration: "The completion of this project marks an important new connection for residents and moves us closer to our goals as a sustainable and accessible city. "This historic extension introduces the region's first two-line rail system, creates safer streets and new bike lanes, and adds shade and public art, all while connecting more residents to jobs, education, entertainment and other amenities across the Valley. Equally important, it provides a whole new opportunity to showcase the unique offerings of this thriving corridor." Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington said: "This grand opening marks a transformative moment for South Phoenix. The South Central Extension represents direct access to local businesses and a community that has historically been disconnected and overlooked. "South Phoenix deserves investment, inclusion and infrastructure that lifts everyone around it, and that is the vision of the light rail extension." What Happens Next Phoenix travelers will now be able to go east/west on the A-line, while the B-line travels north/south, with weekday services increased to 12 minutes before 7 p.m.
Axios
11-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
The notoriously slow 21 bus is finally being replaced
The slower-than-molasses 21 bus route that runs from downtown St. Paul through Uptown Minneapolis is about to be replaced with faster service. Why it matters: Saturday's opening of the B Line along Marshall Avenue and Lake Street marks the near-midway point of Metro Transit's plan to have 15 bus-rapid-transit lines in operation by 2035. How it works: A third of the 13-mile route has red-painted lanes for buses (as well as bikes and vehicles turning right), plus pre-pay boarding stations, fewer stops and priority at traffic lights. Metro Transit expects those enhancements will speed up service by 20%. The 21 is the slowest local bus route in the metro. With an average speed of 8 mph, 5K runners often top that pace, Katie Roth, director of arterial bus rapid transit, said. Follow the money: The two-year project cost $74 million, with roughly $43 million coming from the state, $16 million from the Federal Transit Administration and $16 million from local and regional sources. Parking loss was minimal as previous Lake Street redesigns removed on-street spaces, Roth said. The project also removed general traffic lanes on some of the busiest streets in the metro. Zoom out: This is Metro Transit's seventh BRT route and it replaces the system's busiest local route, with 7,000 average daily riders. In December, the E Line will replace the 6 route from Southdale Center to the University of Minnesota on France Avenue, Hennepin Avenue and University Avenue. What they're saying: The B Line will not only connect to the E Line, but eight other bus rapid transit or light rail lines, including the new Green Line extension in 2027, Metro Transit general manager Lesley Kandaras said. "So it's not just about opening the B line itself, but improving connectivity throughout our transit system," she said. What we're watching: How much the only slightly speedier service lures more riders, as Metro Transit is still nowhere near its pre-pandemic ridership levels.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Officials expect federal funding to continue for Honolulu rail project
The city's rail project has a 'binding contract ' to continue to receive federal funding despite the Trump administration's threat to pull an estimated $4 billion from California's high-speed train project. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said in a statement that the so-called full-funding grant agreement between Honolulu's rail project and the Federal Transit Administration 'is a binding contract between the FTA and the City and County of Honolulu.' 'We expect both parties to continue to adhere to the provisions within the contract, ' Schatz said. 'We will continue to work with the FTA and the City to make sure the milestones are met and the remaining federal funding is obligated as outlined in the FFGA.' Since 2017, the FTA had withheld $744 million in rail funding following years of construction delays and skyrocketing budgets. The federal financial spigot finally turned on in 2024 after the route was cut by two stations, rail service began in 2023 and the state Legislature allowed each county to charge a new 3 % hotel room tax, which Oahu now uses, in part, to ensure a flow of city funds for its Skyline rail project. After the first payment of $125 million arrived in April 2024, HART received an additional $250 million Aug. 15 by awarding the construction contract on the final planned half-mile, overhead rail segment and City Center station in Kakaako, said Lori Kahikina, HART's CEO and executive director. 'At this time there are no concerns regarding the remaining federal funding committed through the amended Full Funding Grant Agreement, ' Kahikina said in a written statement. 'HART continues to have strong relationships with our Hawaii congressional delegation and the Federal Transit Administration, and will continue to work closely with them on matters pertaining to the rail project.'—RELATED : She expects another $125 million by completing the rail station and guideway at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, followed by another $125 million after completing HART's utility relocation project for the City Center station and guideway, followed by an additional $119 million in fiscal year 2027. The full 19-station, 18.9 mile route from East Kapolei to the Civic Center station in Kakaako is scheduled for completion in 2031. The acting head of the Federal Railroad Administration last week wrote California's high-speed rail authority that it should expect to lose its $4 billion in federal funding following years of delays and billions in cost overruns.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Charlotte City Council to swear in new District 6 representative Tuesday
Tuesday is the day that Charlotte City Council will officially swear in Edwin Peacock III as the new representative for District 6. We told you last week when Mayor Vi Lyles broke a 5-5 tie to appoint Peacock as the newest councilmember. Peacock is replacing former councilman Tariq Bokhari, who resigned to join the Federal Transit Administration. RELATED >> Edwin Peacock III to fill vacant Charlotte City Council seat The council had to choose a Republican who lives in District 6 to replace Bokhari. Peacock was chosen after councilmembers tied their votes between him and Bokhari's wife, Krista Bokhari. Peacock has served on the council before. He was an at-large councilman from 2007 to 2011. He was also the Republican nominee for mayor in 2013 and in 2015. The new councilman told city leaders he doesn't want to run for a full term in this fall's election. (VIDEO: City council member clarifies allegations of corruption, says comments were misconstrued)
Boston Globe
20-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
MBTA board approves ‘nuts and bolts' capital budget, leaving billions of critical projects unfunded
'We're talking about what is a very fiscally constrained' capital investment plan, said Tom McGee, board chair. The agency has previously said it needs at least $25 billion to repair and replace its More than $3.8 billion in funding is dedicated to rapid transit investments, including for buying new Red and Orange line vehicles and making upgrades to outdated signal equipment on the subway lines to boost the frequency and reliability of service. The budget also allocates more than $2.5 billion for the commuter rail network, with heavy investments in new locomotives and the North Station Draw One Bridge. Advertisement Meanwhile, the bus system, which accounts for 40 percent of ridership, get the least. The plan allocates just over $1.1 billion to buses, including for implementation of the Advertisement In a presentation, the MBTA advisory board outlined two conflicting realities: the transit agency's 'funding structure is fundamentally incapable' of supporting its capital needs and 'structural reform is imperative.' A bulk of the funds for the capital budget will come from the agency borrowing against future revenue. The plan is also heavily reliant on federal funding — approximately 70 percent of the federal funds, or $2.8 billion, is unobligated, a worrisome amount with the Trump administration repeatedly promising to slash federal funds. 'Yeah, it's bad,' said Kane. 'I don't know what to tell you.' To date, all of the federal grants that the agency has been awarded have come through, 'and we will remain working with our regional [federal] office' to keep federal dollars flowing in, said T general manager Phil Eng. He added that some of the funds 'have taken a little longer' to arrive because of staffing cuts at the Federal Transit Administration. 'What we're doing today, stabilizing the infrastructure, is actually the stepping stones and the foundation of all of the other things that we want to do: modernize and electrifying and expanding. Because for us to be able to do those, a lot of these components are essential,' Eng said. Meanwhile, state lawmakers on Beacon Hill are now considering how much money they give the transit agency for its day-to-day operations, including wages and benefits for employees, fuel and supplies, and debt repayment for capital projects. Advertisement The stark differences will likely inflame debate about how much taxpayer-funded help the state should pour into the agency, particularly when its own spending plans Shannon Larson can be reached at
