Changing demographics and transit demands in the Phoenix area are causing transit planners to rethink where the region's light rail system should expand.
"Preliminary studies show that sufficient demand will exist for light rail to succeed on 44th Street, Camelback Road, south Central Avenue, Bell Road and other routes not previously planned, building a web far more expansive than what is currently envisioned.
Officials at the Maricopa Association of Governments, Arizona Department of Transportation and Metro say the conceptual routes are not intended to replace the voter-approved plan for 57 miles of track. But early findings support leading transportation figures who say the Phoenix region has a historic opportunity to rethink light rail's role - and maybe change some original routes."
Political leaders are hoping to piggyback on the federal enthusiasm for transit projects by thinking big about the future of their system. Though much of the newly proposed expansions have not been set in stone, transit officials are hoping to broaden the scope of the area's light rail.
FULL STORY: Arizona planners envision new role, routes for light rail

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

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

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Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
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Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
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Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
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