Metro Phoenix Transit/Transportation Developments

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by combusean

Wishful thinking. If they couldn't get Van Buren reconfigured, there's no hope for McDowell.

The plan specifically calls for no lane reductions. I think this is going to be about improved sidewalks and crosswalks, but not a road diet that will trigger the same level of oppositon as was encountered on Van Buren.

[Warren Peace]

Originally Posted by PyroD

The city is looking to revitalize McDowell along the miracle mile

https://www.phoenix.gov/streets/mcdowell7to51

I love that the city recognizes the need to revitalize this corridor. The effort will hopefully address what appears to be a blindspot - they have to address the various addicts that linger in this area waiting to acquire their next fix. Public transit attracts them and enhancing transit will invite more of it.

[CrestedSaguaro]

Frontier adding 10 non-stop flights to U.S. destinations:

https://www.abc15.com/news/region-ph...tional-airport

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by CrestedSaguaro

Frontier adding 10 non-stop flights to U.S. destinations:

https://www.abc15.com/news/region-ph...tional-airport

Wow! I am so surprised! I saw the news this morning. I went on Facebook page and went on the aviation-related forums.

10 new nonstop flights from PHX to FLL, MSP, SNA, SEA, IND, BWI, BNA, PDX, MCI and PHL. Last time they're tried SEA, PDX and PHL all various times in the past.

[combusean]

The South Central extension and downtown hub is halfway done.

https://www.valleymetro.org/news/cap...fway-goal-line

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by combusean

The South Central extension and downtown hub is halfway done.

https://www.valleymetro.org/news/cap...fway-goal-line

I'm kinda surprised at this being considered 50% completed. They haven't laid a single beam of track South of Jefferson or have not even started any concrete work.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by CrestedSaguaro

I'm kinda surprised at this being considered 50% completed. They haven't laid a single beam of track South of Jefferson or have not even started any concrete work.

It's amazing how much of the work involved with light rail construction is utility relocation. That's the work that is probably the most frustrating because it can involve different portions of the street at different times with no pattern that is obvious to the oustide observer. Once Kiewit begins to lay track, the construction zone will more predictably be in the center of the street.

[CrestedSaguaro]

As we are discussing this, received my weekly update from Valley Metro. Here's a good aerial view of the Central Ave hub work:

[PHX-DUDE-MAN]

Pretty good Wall Street Journal piece about Loop 303 and the surrounding development. Go Arizona!

https://youtu.be/b-LTkp039X0

[az_daniel]

Originally Posted by CrestedSaguaro

I'm kinda surprised at this being considered 50% completed. They haven't laid a single beam of track South of Jefferson or have not even started any concrete work.

The bulk of this work was utility and infrastructure related. laying track is the easy part.

[ASU Diablo]

Great reads up at AZBEX covering the veto of HB 2685 by Ducey and just how dumb and short-sighted it was. Part of a "Special Coverage" by the site.

Veto Sidelined $2B+ Roadway Project
https://azbex.com/planning-developme...adway-project/

Special Coverage: Looking at Prop 400’s History, Impacts and Future
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...ts-and-future/

Special Coverage: Prop 400E’s History and Future
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...ry-and-future/

Special Coverage: The Prop 400E Veto and New Path to the Ballot
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...to-the-ballot/

Special Coverage: Maricopa County Transportation Economic Impact
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...onomic-impact/

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

Great reads up at AZBEX covering the veto of HB 2685 by Ducey and just how dumb and short-sighted it was. Part of a "Special Coverage" by the site.

Veto Sidelined $2B+ Roadway Project
https://azbex.com/planning-developme...adway-project/

Special Coverage: Looking at Prop 400’s History, Impacts and Future
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...ts-and-future/

Special Coverage: Prop 400E’s History and Future
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...ry-and-future/

Special Coverage: The Prop 400E Veto and New Path to the Ballot
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...to-the-ballot/

Special Coverage: Maricopa County Transportation Economic Impact
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...onomic-impact/

I have not seen this map from MAG yet. This would indicate they want to expand the NW extension beyond Metro Mall up to and along Thunderbird and the streetcar well into Mesa. I have also not seen any these proposed BRT routes yet.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

Great reads up at AZBEX covering the veto of HB 2685 by Ducey and just how dumb and short-sighted it was. Part of a "Special Coverage" by the site.

Veto Sidelined $2B+ Roadway Project
https://azbex.com/planning-developme...adway-project/

Special Coverage: Looking at Prop 400’s History, Impacts and Future
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...ts-and-future/

Special Coverage: Prop 400E’s History and Future
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...ry-and-future/

Special Coverage: The Prop 400E Veto and New Path to the Ballot
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...to-the-ballot/

Special Coverage: Maricopa County Transportation Economic Impact
https://azbex.com/budgets-funding/sp...onomic-impact/

This is good coverage. Thanks for sharing. So much of the effort to quash this referendum was about demonizing light rail, but this series shows how much of the impact will be felt in terms of delayed road building.

[MiEncanto]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

This is good coverage. Thanks for sharing. So much of the effort to quash this referendum was about demonizing light rail, but this series shows how much of the impact will be felt in terms of delayed road building.

From what I've heard a big complaint with the current negotiation is the $ is too loaded up in ongoing funding for transit employees. Lawmakers want the $ to go to new projects and for cities to fund staff.

Also I don't see the cause for all the handwringing like projects have been delayed when the funding goes through 2025. The renewal doesn't add new money. So there's still like 3 full years to get it approved before it expires.

AZBEX is funded by the construction industry so they certainly have a reason to be alarmists here. They look silly when the call the Governor's signature a "pro forma detail". You're pretty unserious if you think the Gov signing any bill is no big deal.

I think a Spring 23 election could have been trouble considering what the economy is looking like. I agree w/ the Gov that the 24 general probably makes more sense. More indie voters; less diehards.

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

Also I don't see the cause for all the handwringing like projects have been delayed when the funding goes through 2025. The renewal doesn't add new money. So there's still like 3 full years to get it approved before it expires.

I think a Spring 23 election could have been trouble considering what the economy is looking like. I agree w/ the Gov that the 24 general probably makes more sense. More indie voters; less diehards.

1) You can't plan for future projects if there is no guaranteed funding mechanism in place, i.e., the veto already seeing some negative impacts on proposed SR30 (see article)

2) By holding a Spring '23 election, you give yourself a little bit more runway to plan accordingly for General '24 election IF the Prop fails in 2023. You figure out why it failed and pivot as necessary and modify language to ensure it gets passed in 2024 and doesn't expire on Jan 1, 2025.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

AZBEX is funded by the construction industry so they certainly have a reason to be alarmists here. They look silly when the call the Governor's signature a "pro forma detail". You're pretty unserious if you think the Gov signing any bill is no big deal.

ASU Diablo replied to the rest; I'll address this one. In this case, the governor's signature could indeed be considered "a pro forma detail." The same could said for the legislature's passing the bill. Neither should be necessary for a county to send a referendum to its own voters, but because of an arcane and unfair law that applies only to Maricopa and none of the other 14 counties in Arizona, they are both required. The legislature and governor should have treated them like the formalities they are, knowing that voters would have the final say, rather than using this as an opportunity for grandstanding.

[MiEncanto]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

ASU Diablo replied to the rest; I'll address this one. In this case, the governor's signature could indeed be considered "a pro forma detail." The same could said for the legislature's passing the bill. Neither should be necessary for a county to send a referendum to its own voters, but because of an arcane and unfair law that applies only to Maricopa and none of the other 14 counties in Arizona, they are both required. The legislature and governor should have treated them like the formalities they are, knowing that voters would have the final say, rather than using this as an opportunity for grandstanding.

As long as it's a law, it's not pro forma. If people don't like the law, they should get lawmakers to remove the restriction like the rest of other counties. As it stands, they get a vote.

[MiEncanto]

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

1) You can't plan for future projects if there is no guaranteed funding mechanism in place, i.e., the veto already seeing some negative impacts on proposed SR30 (see article)

2) By holding a Spring '23 election, you give yourself a little bit more runway to plan accordingly for General '24 election IF the Prop fails in 2023. You figure out why it failed and pivot as necessary and modify language to ensure it gets passed in 2024 and doesn't expire on Jan 1, 2025.

I think they're lighting their hair on fire for effect. As of Oct 22 nothing has changed. They can't assume it would have passed in the Spring so why delay an RFQ today? Also, other jurisdictions could theoretically find a way to fund SR30. It's not like a county transpo tax is the only way (though I think it's probably the most efficient way to do it). For example, Phx could partner with Buckeye and Goodyear to fund SR30 with their own taxes.

2. Your timing is off. The tax ends Dec 31, 2025. If it fails in 24, you could consider a special in Spring 25. https://azdot.gov/planning/transport...al-programming

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

As long as it's a law, it's not pro forma. If people don't like the law, they should get lawmakers to remove the restriction like the rest of other counties. As it stands, they get a vote.

Yes, the law that unfairly constrains Maricopa County's autonomy should be repealed, and I hope that will happen someday. Unfortunately, that will take time due to a variety of political factors. Until then, the governor and legislature should treat the matter as a formality. They won't, but they should.

[ASU Diablo]

According to Councilwoman Ansari’s IG post, all downtown light rail construction expected to be cleared out by 12/6. Also, nice Phoenix logo that was installed on the sidewalk on the Central Hub

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkzcJ3nL...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=