Tempe Streetcar

Tempe Streetcar Construction

Six month construction outlook

Zone 1 (Rio Salado Parkway zone begins at Ash Avenue and continues to Packard Drive): Street work will continue through August and stop installation will continue through September 2020. System installation will also be ongoing throughout this timeframe. Testing is anticipated to begin in early 2021.

Zone 2 (Downtown Tempe zone consists of Mill and Ash avenues between University Drive and Rio Salado Parkway): Stop installation will continue through September 2020 and systems installation will also occur throughout this timeframe. Testing is anticipated to begin in early 2021.

Zone 3 (Mill Avenue south of University Drive and around the Gammage Curve to Forest Avenue): Track installation will continue through August 2020. System installation, stop platforms and street work will be ongoing throughout this timeframe. Testing is anticipated to begin in early 2021.

Zone 4 (Apache Boulevard from Forest Avenue to Dorsey Lane): Track installation will continue through August 2020. System installation, street work and stop platforms installation will be ongoing throughout this timeframe. Testing is anticipated to begin in early 2021.

Tempe is already one of the highest public transit ridership centers in the region and Tempe Streetcar will add another efficient transportation option. 

The project received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in October 2015, which indicates that the project will have no significant environmental effect on the neighboring communities. The FONSI comes following the project’s Environmental Assessment (EA), which evaluates the potential impacts to the neighboring environment, including noise and vibration, traffic and parking, and historical and archaeological resources.

Streetcar Reaches Significant Milestone

On November 28, 2018, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that Tempe Streetcar has been allocated the full $75 million through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG). The project was allocated $50 million from the FTA in 2017 and with the approval of the final $25 million installment, it allows the project to move toward a fully funded grant.

“Tempe Streetcar is essential to our growing city,” said Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell. “Today’s announcement shows we have a strong project with federal, community and regional support.” 

The competitive CIG Program provides funding for major transit infrastructure capital investments nationwide. Projects accepted into the program must go through a multi-year, multi-step process for funding consideration. 

In August 2018, Valley Metro received approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to begin the initial phase of significant construction on the Tempe Streetcar. With this approval, Valley Metro began work in fall 2018 to build the system’s rail trackway, power systems and street improvements. 

“This milestone would not have been possible without the support of our federal delegation and officials at FTA, for which we are grateful. With this approval, we can now move forward to keep this project on budget and on schedule,” said Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell. “Many, including advocates in the local business community, have been working tirelessly to see this project come to fruition for the betterment of our community’s quality of life and economic sustainability.”

“The Tempe community has a long history of supporting public transit and is already one of the highest public transit ridership centers in the region,” said Robin Arredondo Savage, Tempe City Councilmember and Vice Chair of the Valley Metro Rail Board. “Streetcar will be a critical link in our total transit network, connecting strong neighborhoods, major business centers and regional events and destinations – supporting growing travel demand and business interest in Tempe and throughout the region.”

“This positive step demonstrates FTA’s favorable view of this project,” said Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith. “We look forward to working with FTA to receive our final grant agreement in the next few months. This project is unique because it is being built with a combination of local, regional and federal funds, and with $13 million in voluntary contributions from local property owners along the streetcar route.”  

On September 24, 2019, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) signed the $75 million Capital Investment (New Starts/Small Starts) grant agreement, indicating its continuing investment in the valley's regional transit network.

Tempe Streetcar is on track to be operational in 2021. 

Shop local and save. 

Valley Metro is committed to the well-being of the communities we serve. We know that your shopping and dining routines have been impacted recently. As businesses begin to reopen, here are some other ways to continue to support local businesses during this time:

1. Order online or over the phone from local shops; for restaurants, order takeout or delivery.

2. If you typically make larger purchases with local retailers later in the year, place your orders now.

3. Buy gift cards from local businesses to use later.

4. Show your support online through social media.  Most of our businesses have social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and websites.  Look them up and share their stories.

Visit our Shop On participating businesses along the Tempe Streetcar line during construction. and download the Shop On card here.