Title
Capitol/I-10 West Light Rail Extension and West Phoenix High Capacity Transit Updates
Description
This report provides an update to the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee regarding recent public engagement efforts and analysis for the Capitol/I10 West Light Rail Extension Project and West Phoenix high-capacity transit options.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
As requested by the Phoenix City Council in April 2019, Valley Metro and City of Phoenix staff have conducted a community engagement process as well as additional technical analysis to assess the best options for high capacity, high frequency transit service to connect West Phoenix to the existing light rail system in the downtown Phoenix area.
A high-capacity transit (HCT) corridor, as included in Phoenix’s Transit 2000 plan approved by voters in March 2000 and subsequently identified in the Regional Transportation Plan in 2004, consists of a 10-mile Capitol/I-10 West light rail extension that will connect the existing Valley Metro Rail system in downtown Phoenix to the 79th Avenue Park-and-Ride just north of Interstate 10 (I-10).
Project planning began in 2007 to identify a transit mode and a specific route. Light rail was identified as the recommended transit type along a recommended route from downtown, primarily on Jefferson Street to the State Capitol, continuing west to Interstate 17 (I-17), north along the I-17 southbound frontage road, then west on I-10 in the freeway median to about 47th Avenue, and continuing along the north side of I-10 to a terminus at 79th Avenue.
After working closely with the community and in response to concerns regarding the routing on Jefferson Street between 19th Avenue and I-17, Valley Metro modified the route to run along Van Buren Street from 19th Avenue to I-17. This route was approved by City Council in 2012 (see Attachment A). The project then moved into the more detailed conceptual engineering and environmental assessment phases, with public involvement occurring throughout the process.
In August 2015, Phoenix voters approved the Transportation 2050 (T2050) plan which included the Capitol/I-10 West project. In 2016, City Council and the Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors approved a phased approach to the project: Phase I will connect downtown Phoenix to the State Capitol area, with Phase II subsequently extending westward along I-10 to 79th Avenue.
With City Council’s most recent direction in April 2019, Valley Metro and the City of Phoenix have re-engaged the community to review the project and consider current conditions. Since 2012, opportunities to refine the Capitol/I-10 West project have emerged due to the Downtown Hub concept being constructed as part of the South Central/Downtown Hub Extension project. Robust downtown development is also now a key factor. Accordingly, the route between downtown Phoenix and the State Capitol along Jefferson Street has been reevaluated. Washington Street is being considered as an option to provide greater access to residential and employment centers in the area and to improve the connection to Phase II.
City Council also directed city staff and Valley Metro to:
Develop a public hearing schedule to discuss high-capacity transit in West Phoenix.
Consider other transit modes or commuter-based transit solutions for the I-10 West segment.
Explore funding sources for all potential options.
Engage other West Valley cities to develop a regional approach.
Evaluate extending service to Desert Sky Mall.
Council directed that this course of action take place over a 12- to 18-month period. As such, Valley Metro and City of Phoenix staff extensively engaged the community from fall 2019 to spring 2020 to determine the best options for high capacity, high frequency transit service to connect West Phoenix to downtown Phoenix. The following sections detail project updates resulting from the extensive public engagement and technical evaluation efforts during the past year.
Public Engagement to Date:
The project team pursued an extensive public engagement effort, meeting with community groups, key stakeholders and businesses along the corridor, participating in community events, and conducting a series of public meetings. For details of the community outreach and engagement that has occurred since September 2019, see Attachment B.
The project team presented a detailed history of the project and sought input on a variety of topics, including route options, transit types, a potential extension to Desert Sky Mall and project phasing and acceleration options. Information was presented, and input was sought through numerous small group meetings and three larger public meetings. All public meeting presentation materials were provided on the Valley Metro website since the first public meeting on January 14, 2020. A feedback form was made available for public comments from January 14, 2020 through March 27, 2020. The project team also sought recommendations from stakeholders regarding other community members or groups that should be involved in the outreach effort. The project team then reached out to those recommended individuals and groups to seek their input. In addition, extensive notification was conducted for the public meetings held in January 2020, see Attachment C.
After the public meetings, the project team continued to proactively encourage stakeholders and the larger Phoenix community to review the online presentation materials and provide any thoughts or preferences through the online feedback form. The project team received 183 total feedback forms.
In general, respondents expressed enthusiasm for the Capitol/I-10 West Extension. When asked to identify important considerations for completing the project sooner:
127 out of 183 respondents believe the transit type used is important.
117 out of 183 respondents believe the rate at which the project can be completed is important.
79 out of 183 respondents believe the project cost is an important consideration.
Phase I Alignment Update:
During the January 2020 public meetings, Valley Metro presented four potential alignments for the public’s feedback: the 2012 Approved Route, ‘Washington Concept A’ (double track on Washington Street west of 8th Avenue), ‘Washington Concept B’ (15th Avenue Loop), and ‘Washington Concept C’ (18th Avenue Loop). Based on the feedback, respondents expressed the greatest support for the 18th Avenue Loop option (see Attachment D) as the preferred Phase I route. Benefits of the 18th Avenue Loop compared to other Phase I options include less impacts to historic and government properties, less impacts to vehicular traffic and bus operations, higher operational efficiencies, and optimal preparation for a future connection to Phase II. By traversing two separate arterials, the 18th Avenue Loop would also serve more residential and employment centers, maximizing access to current and future users. Valley Metro is continuing to coordinate with the State of Arizona and other stakeholders in this area to evaluate potential Phase I alignments, and will provide a formal recommendation after Summer 2020.
Phase II Update:
As requested by City Council, an alternative transit type (exclusive busway) is under analysis for Phase II. During the January public meetings and subsequent survey period, the project team received requests for clarification and additional information inquiring about how the exclusive busway might compare to light rail in terms of operation, technology and design, amongst other questions. The project team recommends extending the Phase II evaluation into Fall 2020 in order to identify which transit type would provide the most efficient and effective service for west Phoenix for Phase II of the project. Valley Metro will present a Phase II recommendation after Fall 2020.
City Council also requested an evaluation of a potential extension of Phase II from the 79th Avenue Park-and-Ride to Desert Sky Mall (Attachment E). This extension would add approximately one mile to the Phase II alignment and provide closer access to Ak-Chin Pavilion, Desert Sky Mall, Desert Sky Transit Center and several schools and neighborhoods around 79th Avenue and Thomas Road. Based on the feedback forms from the January 2020 public meetings, 153 out of 183 respondents expressed support for extending service to Desert Sky Mall. Valley Metro will continue to analyze the potential extension to Desert Sky Mall and will include a formal recommendation in fall 2020.
Next steps include:
Continue stakeholder outreach, including coordination with the State of Arizona on Phase I.
Continue evaluation of Phase I light rail alignment, with a recommendation in summer 2020.
Continue working on the Phase II analysis into fall 2020 to:
Complete analysis of transit types and funding options.
Complete the evaluation of extending Phase II to Desert Sky Mall.
Continue discussions with West Valley communities.
Community engagement will be ongoing throughout these activities, including anticipated virtual public meetings in May 2020.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was presented to the Citizens Transportation Commission on April 23, 2020 for information and discussion.
Location
Extending from downtown Phoenix west to around the State Capitol Complex, then north to I-10 and along I-10 West to 79th Avenue and the West Phoenix area.
Council Districts: 4, 5 and 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.