Tempe Streetcar

Tempe Streetcar

Downtown Tempe, which will see streetcar service for the first time as part of the Tempe Streetcar project
Overview
Type Streetcar
System Valley Metro Rail
Locale Tempe, Arizona, United States
Termini Marina Heights
Dorsey Lane
Stations 14
Services 2
Website www.valleymetro.org/tempestreetcar
Operation
Opened 2019 (planned)
Owner Valley Metro
Operator(s) Valley Metro
Technical
Line length 3.44 mi (6 km)
Track gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route diagram
Legend
Legend
Marina Heights
Hayden Ferry
Rio Salado Parkway

to 19th Ave/Dunlap

Mill Ave/Third St Valley Metro Rail

5th Street
6th Street
Ash Avenue
9th Street
11th Street
College Avenue
Paseo del Saber
Rural Road

Dorsey/Apache Blvd Valley Metro RailParking
to Mesa

Tempe Streetcar is a future extension of Phoenix, Arizona's Valley Metro Rail system that is proposed to begin construction in 2017, with a projected completion in 2019. When completed, it will link various parts of the city's downtown, as well as the Tempe campus of Arizona State University.[1][2][3]

Background

Tempe Streetcar will consist of 13 stations, running from Dorsey Lane east on Apache Boulevard, then north on Mill Avenue.[4] From there, it will loop around Downtown Tempe along Mill and Ash avenues.[5] The route continues along Rio Salado Parkway to Marina Heights, with a possible extension to Mesa to connect with the Chicago Cubs' new spring training facility, as well as Tempe Marketplace and future development along Rio Salado.[6][7] Once completed, a transfer from light rail to the streetcar at the 3rd Street station will permit travel to Gammage Memorial Auditorium at Arizona State University to the south and the Hayden Ferry and Marina Heights office complexes to the north.

Construction will cost between $175 and $190 million and will be funded using the Proposition 400 sales tax and federal grants.[4] In February 2016, the project was identified in President Barack Obama's budget for Fiscal Year 2017. A total of $75 million was dedicated to the project and would supplement the Proposition 400 funds, as well as local funds and other federal grant funds.[8]

Rolling stock

In 2011, Kinki Sharyo offered a demonstration model of their ameriTRAM vehicle, to allow members of the public to provide feedback on the vehicle.[9]

Valley Metro will issue an RFP to obtain vehicles for this route in the summer of 2016,[10] potential suppliers include Alstom, Bombardier, CAF USA, Kinki Sharyo, Siemens or TIG/m. Depending on the final design of the system, as well as availability of funding, vehicles for this line may operate on a combination of battery power, overhead catenary wires or on-board hydrogen fuel system.[11][12]

References

  1. Náñez, Dianna (November 28, 2014). "Tempe streetcar on track, could cost $200 million". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  2. Coppola, Chris (February 10, 2016). "Obama's budget includes $75 million for Tempe streetcar". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  3. Sackley, Mike (February 10, 2016). "President Obama designates $75 million to Tempe streetcar project". WTAR. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Tempe Streetcar" (PDF). Valley Metro. December 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  5. "Text Only Options". Valley Metro. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  6. "South Bank – Mixed Use Urban Community Development – Tempe Town Lake, Tempe, AZ". Southbanktempe.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  7. "Downtown Tempe – Hayden Ferry Lakeside". Haydenferry.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  8. "Significant Milestone for Tempe Streetcar | Valley Metro | Press Releases". Valley Metro. February 9, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  9. Náñez, Dianna M. (September 20, 2011). "Streetcar misconceptions addressed at Tempe forum". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  10. Jay Toll, Eric (29 March 2016). "Amid audits, investigations and 7 rail extensions, Valley Metro's Scott Smith is an interim CEO on a mission". Phoenix Business Journal. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  11. "City of Tempe - Transportation Commission Packet". City of Tempe. 12 May 2015. pp. 18, 22, 24, 26. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  12. Goth, Brenna (February 9, 2016). "South Phoenix light rail on fast track, to come a decade early". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 15, 2016.

External links

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