Phoenix Light Rail Extension Opens Two Years Early

Valley Metro’s Northwest light rail extension brings the Phoenix light rail system to a total of 30 miles.

1 minute read

January 30, 2024, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Group of officials cutting purple ribbon.

RIbbon cutting ceremony for the Valley Metro Northwest light rail extension. | Valley Metro / Northwest Extension Phase II

A new northwest Phoenix light rail line opened two years ahead of schedule, expanding the city’s rapid transit system.

According to an article by Josh Kristianto for ABC 15, the 1.6-mile route, began construction in 2020, and brings rail closer to the West Valley. The line features the city’s first elevated rail station and adds a new multimodal transit center. The city’s light rail system now spans 30 miles, with another 5.5-mile extension scheduled for opening next year.

City officials hope the transit expansion will help spur revitalization and economic development in the area. According to a press release from Valley Metro, “The new extension includes three stations and is anticipated to initially attract 1,400 new, daily riders to the system each day. Crossing the I-17, the project gives greater transit access to the West Valley, connecting current and future riders with opportunities in central Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.”

Saturday, January 27, 2024 in ABC 15 (Phoenix)

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking in downtown St. Louis, walking past shops.

Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment

The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.

November 1, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

construction near Boston, with machinery digging at large pit.

Mass. votes against statewide minimum lot size for single-family homes

Over 2 million residents voted on Question 7; it was decided by just over 30,000 votes.

1 hour ago - GBH

A bridge over the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval

The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.

2 hours ago - WTOP News

A crowd of people cheering for an unseen performer.

‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds

Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.

3 hours ago - Chicago Sun Times

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.