Northwest Community Gathers to Celebrate Valley Metro Light Rail Construction Progress

Residents from communities near 19th & Dunlap avenues gathered to celebrate the construction progress on Valley Metro's Northwest light rail extension at a station installation milestone, art celebration and fall festival.

“Major progress is being made on the three-mile extension,” said Phoenix Councilmember and Valley Metro Rail Chair Thelda Williams. “With the project 90 percent complete, final touches are being made to the stations including landscaping and the addition of unique public art, which reflects the local community.”

Three additional miles of service are being added to Valley Metro Rail’s 23-mile system that connects Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.

“What we see as growth in downtown Phoenix because of light rail, we’d like to see in this neighborhood,” said Phoenix Vice Mayor Daniel Valenzuela. “Light rail will soon connect seven schools, churches, residential communities, restaurants and local storefronts.”

Local students inspired the art at the new Dunlap Avenue Park-and-Ride. “I met with dozens of students along the extension and asked them to re-imagine their schools in any way they wanted,” explained artist Matthew Salenger. “I chose the most common themes and incorporated them into the design of the nine yellow cones in the plaza.”

Two students from Richard E. Miller Elementary School were honored for their art that inspired the focal point at the Dunlap Park-and-Ride Plaza.

The celebration also included a turkey trot, face painting and a donation of non-perishable food items for St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix.