U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is headed to Arizona this week following the signing of a new infrastructure law.
President Biden signed the law on Monday.
The U.S. Department of Transportation did not release details of Buttigieg’s visit, but according to Valley Metro, Buttigieg will help announce full funding of the Northwest Extension Light Rail Extension Phase II on Friday morning. He will be signing a $158 million Capital Investment Grant for the project.
The extension will reportedly add 1.6 miles of rail line, extending from 19th and Dunlap avenues. The additional rail line is expected to serve nearly 6,000 more riders per day, helping connect more West Valley residents, Valley Metro says.
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, Representative Greg Stanton, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, and other leaders will be in attendance Friday.
Arizona is targeted for approximately $6 billion in federal infrastructure dollars.
Last week, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who helped get the bill passed through Congress, said shovel-ready projects to improve Arizona’s ports of entry will also be among the projects that will soon get underway.
According to the White House, the deal will improve access to high-speed internet, upgrade public transportation, build better roads and bridges, upgrade power infrastructure, and more.
