Announcement of new Valley Metro Rail Station. Photo: courtesy of Valley Metro.
Officials from both Valley Metro, the transit provider for Phoenix and Maricopa County, and the City of Phoenix were joined by community representatives to announce the construction of a 50th Street Light Rail Station. This is the first light rail project slated under Phoenix Transportation 2050 (T2050), a voter-approved city sales tax that started January 1, 2016.
“The 50th Street Station is becoming a reality,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “We asked Phoenix voters to make an investment in ourselves and our shared future and they responded overwhelmingly. This project will make them proud.”
Phoenix Councilmember and Valley Metro RPTA Board Chair Thelda Williams stated, “By advancing transit in the region we are building our future, creating greater regional access for all residents and supporting economic growth."
The new 50th Street Station will allow people with disabilities to access independent lifestyle resources at Ability360, which was a catalyst in the development of the new station.
“It is a great day for people with disabilities,” said Phil Pangrazio, Ability360 president and CEO, and member of Phoenix’s Citizens Transportation Commission. “This station is going to be so important for people with disabilities to get to the Ability360 center and access the one-of-a-kind resource.”
The 50th Street Station is scheduled to break ground in spring 2017 and open in summer 2019. The station will be designed by Gannett Fleming and the construction contractor is Stacy and Witbeck, Inc.
Photo: Attending the announcement of the new rail station are Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Phoenix Councilmember and Valley Metro RPTA Board Chair Thelda Williams, Phoenix Vice Mayor Kate Gallego, CTC Chair Congressman Ed Pastor and CTC member and Ability360 President & CEO Phil Pangrazio.