Title
West Phoenix High Capacity Transit Study
Description
This report requests City Council approval to initiate a study of high-capacity transit options for West Phoenix.
Report
Summary
In partnership with Valley Metro, City of Phoenix staff are recommending the study of high-capacity transit (HCT) options in West Phoenix (Central Avenue to 91st Avenues, McDowell Road to Camelback Roads). This study will build upon previous planning efforts to continue expanding mobility options for West Phoenix residents, workers, and visitors.
Adding HCT in West Phoenix is a key component of the expanded transit program outlined in the voter-approved Transportation 2050 (T2050) plan. The study would be funded by regional transit funds (Prop. 400) and also potentially funded by a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant available for areas of persistent poverty, as further explained in this report.
Background of previous HCT studies
HCT in West Phoenix was first studied in coordination with the City of Glendale in 2010. Planning efforts progressed in three studies until a Phoenix City Council action in 2019 put the project on hold. The three studies were as follows:
- Study I: Glendale HCT Study (2010-12);
- Study II: West Phoenix/Central Glendale Light Rail Extension Study (2013-17); and
- Study III: West Phoenix Light Rail Extension Study (2017-19).
Study I explored bringing HCT to the Westgate Entertainment District. Five preferred corridors were identified, two of which connected to Phoenix’s Northwest Phase I extension (running along Glendale Avenue to Westgate). The remaining three corridor options connected to the future I-10 West Extension (running north from 79th Avenue/I-10 to Westgate). The results of the study advanced an option to extend light rail west on Glendale Avenue from 19th Avenue, with stations approximately every mile along Glendale Avenue to the Westgate area.
Study II built upon the Glendale HCT Study, but with two major changes in scope:
- Changing the end-of-line from the Westgate Entertainment District to downtown Glendale; and
- Comparing alternative alignments in West Phoenix to better serve activity centers in the area.
While Study I focused on extending light rail along Glendale Avenue, Study II evaluated a total of six alignments to identify the most productive corridor. At the conclusion of Study II, the proposed alignment would begin at the existing 19th Avenue/Camelback Road light rail station, head west along Camelback Road to 43rd Avenue, and then head north toward Glendale Avenue, where the alignment would then turn west toward downtown Glendale.
The benefits of this alignment for West Phoenix residents included higher ridership projections than Study I and better connectivity to activity centers, such as Grand Canyon University and Alhambra High School. In the selection of this alignment, a total of 110 public outreach activities were conducted and numerous stakeholders were engaged. Study II concluded in December 2017, at which time the Glendale City Council voted to withdraw from the project.
Study III explored building the Phoenix-only portion of the proposed Study II corridor, which would extend light rail on Camelback Road between 19th and 43rd avenues (Attachment A). Study III concluded in March 2019 when Council voted to defer the Camelback Road light rail project to the end of the T2050 program.
Phoenix BRT Status
The Phoenix BRT Program recently concluded its 2020 Council-directed analysis of potential corridors in Phoenix (Attachment B). At their May 21, 2021 meeting, the Citizens Transportation Commission unanimously recommended that City Council approve the 35th Avenue/Van Buren option as the initial BRT corridor in Phoenix. The same recommendation was approved unanimously at the Sept. 15, 2021 Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee meeting.
Next Steps
If this high-capacity study is approved, Valley Metro and the City of Phoenix will complete the West Phoenix HCT Study by building upon the previous studies and expanding the scope to further analyze how to better serve the West Phoenix Area (Attachment C), bounded by 35th and 67th avenues and McDowell and Camelback roads. Data from Valley Metro’s 2019 Origin and Destination Survey shows this area is one of the top areas in the region where transit trips begin.
Much of the area also qualifies as “Areas of Persistent Poverty” under federal guidelines, with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent of the population. The FTA's Areas of Persistent Poverty Program Grant is available to provide 90 percent of funds for planning, engineering, and technical studies to improve transit services in such identified communities.
Any work conducted for this West Phoenix HCT Study would be in close coordination with the Phoenix BRT Program to ensure that the planning efforts are cohesive and the preferred corridors identified for HCT will integrate into the overall transit plan to improve connections to West Phoenix. This Study and associated community outreach would analyze potential alternatives, looking both to identify the most productive corridors and HCT modes for West Phoenix.
Phoenix and Valley Metro staff would follow the outline below for the West Phoenix HCT Study’s scope:
- Provide project management from both Valley Metro and City of Phoenix staff;
- Prioritize and further develop community and stakeholder relationships;
- Identify existing and future conditions;
- Define purpose and needs;
- Analyze potential corridors for HCT;
- Develop and propose preferred networks;
- Define preferred alternatives for light rail corridors;
- Develop an implementation strategy; and
- Prepare results for City Council adoption of a HCT corridor.
Financial Impact
It is anticipated that the duration of this study effort would take 18-24 months. The total estimated cost of the study is approximately $950K. Phoenix has applied for FTA's Areas of Persistent Poverty Program Grant to fund up to 90 percent of the study cost. Matching grant funds are available through regional (Prop. 400) funds.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Citizens Transportation Commission recommended approval of this item on Aug. 26, 2021, by a vote of 14-0.
The Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning subcommittee recommended approval of this item on Oct. 20, 2021 by a vote of 4-0.
Location
West Phoenix HCT would expand transit access in the greater Maryvale Area of West Phoenix, with a primary study area of roughly Central Avenue to 91st Avenues and McDowell Road to Camelback Roads.
Council Districts: 4, 5 and 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.