The Valley Metro Rail board unanimously approved the light-rail construction contract for the Northwest Extension Phase II in Phoenix on July 16. The project will be built by a joint venture with contractors Kiewit-McCarthy.
The first part of construction, utility relocation, is expected to begin in August. Light-rail projects are a significant generator of job for hundreds of workers, while also encouraging support of local businesses during construction.
This is a 1.6-mile extension to the existing 28 miles of light rail in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.
Phase II of the Northwest Extension will extend light rail west on Dunlap Avenue from 19th Avenue, north on 25th Avenue and across I-17 on Mountain View Road with a terminus on the west side of the freeway near Metrocenter Mall. The project is funded through Transportation 2050, a 35-year, multi-modal transportation plan approved by Phoenix voters, as well as regional transportation funds and a grant from the Federal Transit Administration.
