Future Light Rail Extensions

What are the approved high-capacity corridors in the Regional Transportation Plan?

The Regional Transportation Plan includes 37 miles of future high capacity/light rail transit extensions in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa and Glendale. Planned extensions include:

• Northwest: The design phase has begun on a METRO light rail extension to the Rose Mofford Park area. This will be a phased project, with Phase I scheduled to open in 2012.
  Click here for more info about the Northwest Extension
  


• Tempe South: This extension will travel southbound from the Central Phoenix/East Valley starter line in Tempe and is scheduled to open 2015.
  Click here for more info about the Tempe South Extension
  


• Central Mesa: This extension will travel eastbound from the end of the Central Phoenix/East Valley starter line to the Mesa Town Center area. Planning efforts are underway and the extension is scheduled to open in 2015.
  Click here for more info about the Central Mesa Extension
  


• Glendale: This extension will travel westbound to the downtown Glendale area and is scheduled to open 2017.
  Click here for more info about the Glendale Extension
  


• I-10 West: This extension will travel westbound to the 79th Avenue park-and-ride area. Planning efforts are underway and the extension is scheduled to open in 2019.
  Click here for more info about the I-10 West Extension
  


• Northeast: This extension will travel generally along the SR-51 corridor north to Paradise Valley Mall area and is s cheduled to open in 2025.
  Click here for more info about the Northeast Extension
  
  

View Extensions Map

View Design Criteria Manual (Final)

Design Specifications Manual

Extensions will be phased during the life of the 20-year plan ending in 2025. METRO and its partner cities work together to determine the strategies to meet the schedule outlined in the plan.

The plan identifies general corridors. Options for several possible routes will be developed with the public for consideration.

To ensure federal funding, all future extensions will require a federal alternatives analysis to determine whether light rail is the appropriate transit mode to serve these corridors and to refine the actual route, based on community input and technical analysis.

Accountability measures in Proposition 400 require performance audits of light rail and other modes every five years beginning in 2010. While specifics on the performance measures have not been identified, we are confident the METRO light rail system will receive high marks, as the initial 20-mile line has already passed stringent federal standards.

It is important to note that any change to the Regional Transportation Plan requires an extensive public process and final approval from the agencies participating in the Maricopa Association of Governments.

If you have an opinion you wish to share on future extensions, or thoughts to share regarding suggested changes to the extensions, the place to begin is with your city council representative.

For more information about the Regional Transportation Plan, visit the Maricopa Association of Governments at http://www.mag.maricopa.gov.