Phoenix is under development on a multi-billion-dollar light-rail system that will run through the city, out to Tempe and on to Mesa in the East Valley. The proposed route now calls for the system to run through Downtown Phoenix and head east along Jefferson and Washington streets toward Tempe. Washington Street is about a half-mile north of the airport terminals.
The proposal calls for a light-rail station at 24th Street to accommodate air travelers and a $200-million people mover--a rubber-wheeled trolley--to shuttle passengers between terminals and the station.
Rerouting the light-rail system directly into airport terminals has the support of some lawmakers, but the cost could be prohibitive. "Connecting light rail to the airport would be expensive and complicated," says Wulf Grote, assistant transit director with Phoenix, noting that bringing light rail directly into the airport would add an estimated $300 million to the project.
The light rail system would have to run underground through the airport, a prospect that is extremely expensive. The rest of the light rail system will be running at grade.
Phoenix is pursing the realignment by asking the Federal Aviation Administration to help pay for the change.
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