The Federal Transit Administration has allocated $49.4 million in Capital Investment Grants to Valley Metro for construction of the second phase of the Northwest Light Rail Extension project, and a $1 million grant for planning the project.
Utility relocation work has already begun for the construction, and bridge construction over the canal and Interstate 17 is scheduled to begin this month and in early 2021. The project is anticipated to be under construction through 2023 and completed in 2024. In total the project is expected to cost $401 million.
The Northwest extension will add another 1.6 miles of track to the route, which currently ends at 19th Avenue and Dunlap Road. The extension will travel west on Dunlap to 25th Avenue, then north to Mountain View Road. The track will run west on Mountain View over I-17 to the final stop at Metrocenter Mall.
“Light rail is essential to smart growth and smart development throughout the city,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement.” The grants will extend these advantages to commuters in northwest Phoenix. I’m deeply grateful to our federal partners for sharing our vision and for the funds that will bring it to life.”
