Ballot Initiative Could Erase Phoenix Light Rail Extension Plans

Anti-light rail activists gathered enough signatures to qualify a controversial measure on the August ballot.

1 minute read

February 7, 2019, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Phoenix Region Public Transit

jessica.kirsh / Shutterstock

"This August, Phoenix residents will have another opportunity to vote on the future of light rail," reports Jessica Boehm.

Key emphasis on "another" chance. "A group of light rail opponents called Building a Better Phoenix collected enough signatures to send the controversial public transit system back to the voters, asking them to end light-rail expansion in Phoenix and instead divert the city money to other transportation improvements, like buses and road repairs," according to Boehm.

As detailed in a recent opinion piece by J. Doug Pruitt, Phoenix voters have a track record of supporting transit planning and funding. This time, however, a vote would reverse the decisions of a $31.5 billion, 35-year transportation plan, funded by a sales tax increase approved by voters in 2015.

"If voters pass the Building a Better Phoenix initiative, the city must cancel all light-rail extensions and divert the city money it would have used to other transportation needs," according to Boehm. The transportation plan allocates about 35 percent of the funding for light rail expansions.

In the meantime, Valley Metro will continuing preparing for South Central light rail extension construction, scheduled to launch this year and open to the public in 2023.

Wednesday, February 6, 2019 in Arizona Republic

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight