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North-south corridor studied as light-rail connector

By: Nathan Scherotter

April 28, 2007

Scheduled to make its inaugural journey in 2008, the light rail system from west Mesa to downtown Phoenix is expected to help with traffic and pollution and provide a welcome convenience for students and commuters.

However, how residents south of the system will connect with it remains undetermined.

To help make that decision, Tempe is studying the possibilities of a north-south corridor that could run along any of several existing roadways using a similar light rail system or commuter buses.

“We recognize there is a need for a north-south connection, and we are looking at the best way to do that,” Light Rail Deputy Manager Jyme Sue McLaren said.

 “The purpose of study is to evaluate all of the impacts,” McLaren said.

“We could take away a lane, which would create more traffic, or we would have to widen a street to make the (north-south route) work. Construction could cause traffic (problems), and widening the street could affect businesses in the surrounding area. All of these factors are being looked at.”

The group is looking to see if the project will be cost effective and if it will be environmentally safe.

 “While (Rural Road) is the initial alignment, we are still looking at other…possibilities,” McLaren said.

“The other options could be more feasible; we are not endorsing a corridor, we are just doing research.”

Other locations the researchers are studying include Kyrene and McClintock roads, all from Chandler Boulevard to University Drive.

The study is expected to take approximately 18-24 months; construction would start in 2011 with an end-date sometime in 2015.

And while this is the plan, it is still not a guarantee that that this proposal will be put into action, according to McLaren.

“The results of the study might tell us that there may be some fatal flaws, and that a light rail would not be the best solution,” McLaren said.

“It may conclude that a bus might be the best solution.” However, she added, “The cost could outweigh the amount of riders and environmentally could not be the best option.”

 

 
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