The South Mountain District News recently printed an article about a $30 billion light rail plan that voters will get the chance to decide this summer. The article written by Patty McCormac notes that the plan is about much more than just extending light rail, which many argue will alleviate freeway congestion and make it easier for commuters to get to jobs downtown.
McCormanc notes that while the plan would triple the length of the light rail line,it also would fund a better Dial-A-Ride services for those with disabilities, improve bus schedules and routes, increase bus rapid transit opportunities, improve the conditions of roadways that had been let go during the recession, provide shade for bus stops, and add bike lanes to many areas. (CLICK HERE FOR the full article)
It seems the main talk here in Laveen in coming months will be about the impact of improved transportation, including the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway expansion that got approval in March. According to the ADOT Web site, the department “is proceeding with right-of-way acquisition and the procurement of final design and construction services in the form of a design-build-maintain contractor or “developer.” The developer will be selected at the end of 2015 and freeway construction will begin in early 2016, with the Chandler Boulevard extension project to facilitate local access beginning in summer 2015. The freeway is planned to be open to traffic in late 2019 or early 2020.”
We will be taking a look soon at what all these projects could possibly mean to the Laveen economy and real estate market. If you have a comment about what you think the impact will be, positive or negative, please tell us!
