Glendale weighing routes for light-rail line
Carrie Watters
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 10, 2007 07:54 AM

Residents faced with congested commutes, high gas prices and environmental concerns want to know whether Glendale is on track to offer light-rail service.

The easy answer is yes, but where those rail lines will go is under study.

In 2001, voters approved a transportation sales tax that included plans to take light rail from Phoenix into downtown Glendale by 2018.

The cost of the Glendale extension was estimated at $100million in local funding, $100 million in matching funds from the federal government and about $30 million in regional funds.

Six years later, and with the city’s unforeseen sports development on the west side, a study is weighing which of four potential corridors would be best for light rail. That study should be completed early next year.

“Let’s figure out what is the potential before we say one line is better than another,” said Jamsheed Mehta, city transportation director.

Glendale was among the four Valley cities that came together early to explore the Valley’s light-rail options.

Three of those cities - Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa - should be connected with 20 miles of light-rail track by the end of 2008.

The Glendale extension is now being studied and still is slated for construction beginning in 2016, with completion in two years.

But the key question remains: Where to lay the line?

Mehta recently talked with The Republic about the current study and the possibility of commuter rail.

According to Mehta, four corridors are under consideration for light rail. They are:

. Extend rail from Phoenix’s Chris-Town Spectrum Mall at 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road west somewhere between Bethany Home Road and Northern Avenue into downtown.

. Extend the downtown Glendale line about five more miles to the University of Phoenix Stadium area.

. Follow Interstate 10 west and run north along Loop 101 to the sports and entertainment district.

. Run north to ASU West at Thunderbird Road and 43rd Avenue over toward the Banner Thunderbird Medical Center at 51st Avenue.

The federal government, which should provide matching funds for construction, requires municipalities to prove a light-rail line would get enough riders. The study is focused on quantifiable data. Eventually, debate could arise over more subjective goals, Mehta said.

“Do you want to serve it to the most dense area or serve an area that would be a catalyst for change, an economic opportunity?” he said.

Mehta also explained the difference between light rail and commuter rail.

Light rail is powered from overhead electric lines, runs on streets and is designed for frequent stops. Commuter rail runs off the road on railroad tracks and is designed for longer distance travel.

But commuter rail isn’t the best option because, while itmight work for travel from cities on the outer rim of the Valley or beyond, it is not designed for routes with many stops, he said.

The Maricopa Association of Governments is overseeing a study, which is expected to be completed by year’s end, that examines commuter rail in Maricopa and Pinal counties.

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Hospital to staff: Give transit plan views
Brian Powell, Tribune
Scottsdale Healthcare is encouraging its more than 3,000 employees and volunteers who live in Scottsdale to be vocal during upcoming City Council transportation discussions that will center on widening roads - and whether either light rail or a modern streetcar system is good for the city.

The city’s largest employer, which is preparing to open its third hospital in November, asks its employees to “KNOW” which council members are supporting them and to “BE PREPARED” to voice their opinions on the matter to the City Council.

A letter signed by Scottsdale Healthcare President and CEO Tom Sadvary went to employees Sept. 24. On Friday, Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross and other City Council members received the letter and a cover letter saying a separate notification will be going to all physicians’ offices and that the company is encouraging other major employers to implement similar strategies.

The one-page letter to employees said Scottsdale Healthcare supports widening Indian School Road and may also de- cide to support widening of additional roads and other strategies. “Scottsdale Healthcare is taking positions on roadway improvements to benefit you, but leadership needs your support,” the letter states.

The letter was distributed to employees as the city prepares to unveil its long-awaited report on high-capacity transit - which will look at light rail, modern streetcar and bus rapid transit options along Scottsdale Road from the Tempe border through downtown - as part of the update of its Transportation Master Plan. The letter also comes at the start of an election year, with the mayor and three other council members up for re-election in September.

Scottsdale Healthcare spokesman Keith Jones said the company does not have a position on the transit options. However, in December a company representative told the council it should keep Scottsdale Road as the designated transit corridor.

“The letter is an educational effort for staff to become aware of the transportation study being put together,” said Jones, saying the intent is not to pressure employees into supporting the company’s policies or voting for certain council members. The letter also promotes employee car-pooling, bus riding and bicycling and says links to transit and construction information are being developed for its staff.

Scottsdale Healthcare has about 6,500 employees and 1,000 volunteers, Jones said. The company operates Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn and Scottsdale Healthcare Shea hospitals and will open Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak on Nov. 5. Jones said about half of its employees and about one-third of its patients travel from outside Scottsdale.

Rick Kidder, president and CEO of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, said he thinks Scottsdale Healthcare officials believe they are “at risk” if comprehensive transportation solutions are not reached.

“I think what they have concluded is there’s a silent majority out there that needs to get a lot less silent, and an employee base is a good place to begin to get some of that silent majority out there talking,” Kidder said.

Manross said she encourages actions such as the letter to ensure residents are involved.

“I think it’s important and responsible and I’d like to think that every business would do that,” Manross said.