Transit Officials Broaden Vision for Phoenix Light Rail

"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.