Tempe South

METRO, in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is nearing completion of a 24-month study to analyze potential high capacity transit improvements in the cities of Tempe and Chandler. The project will provide a connection to the current 20-mile METRO Central Phoenix/East Valley light rail starter line.

Transit ridership in Tempe has quadrupled in the past decade while the population has only moderately increased showing an increasing demand for public transit. New public transportation service alternatives are being considered in response to the region’s changing land use and traffic patterns. The Tempe South High Capacity study will focus on public transit alternatives to help alleviate congestion on Tempe and Chandler streets caused by:

• Infill growth in Tempe;
• Arizona State University becoming a larger regional destination, and
• Overall growth in Chandler.

The Tempe South study area is bounded by Route 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to the north, Route 202 (Santan Freeway) to the south, the Tempe Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad to the west, and Loop 101 (Price Freeway) to the east (see map).

The Tempe South project, referred to as a High Capacity Transit study, is the first stage of the federally sponsored transit planning process, and looks at a variety of potential alignments and transit technologies (including bus rapid transit, light rail transit, modern streetcar and/or commuter rail) that could be built in the study area. A public involvement and information program will be conducted as part of the Alternatives Analysis and also meets the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act – Section 106 as well as other Federal and environmental laws and regulations.

The Tempe South study is funded by the Proposition 400 half-cent transportation sales tax extension approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004, and is contained in the Regional Transportation Plan as part of the 57 miles of high capacity transit corridors to be implemented by 2030 see map.

Citizens, agencies and community organizations are encouraged to comment throughout the process in order to help guide the direction of the study, define project goals and objectives, and identify issues and impacts.

Comments from the community will be considered during the planning process. For more information about the planning process or to submit comments or questions about the Tempe South project contact Carla Kahn at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call her at 602-744-5552.

Any additional high capacity transit corridors, or any changes to the corridors already included in the Regional Transportation Plan must go through a process outlined in state statute (ARS 28-6353). The process calls for proposals to be considered by local, county, regional and state agencies and will include representation from elected officials, business interests and citizen groups. Any changes to the Regional Transportation Plan must also be approved by the Maricopa Association of Governments.

For more information on the planning process, contact Benjamin Limmer, AICP, at 602-322-4487 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).