What's Happening in Tempe, AZ…

A study is being set up to expand the streetcar service started last year in Tempe into nearby Mesa. An agreement with Valley Metro and Mesa has been approved by the city to study the expansion of these services.

Tempe transit manager Sam Stevenson said that several studies conducted in the past have identified the Rio Salado corridor, located east of downtown Tempe, as ideal for high-capacity transport. Stevenson added that once this study is finished, the hope is to adopt the locally preferred alternative, which is an operating plan for the transit service including the location of stations and any design options to be considered in the future. He said the next phase would be the Federal Transit Administration process and then preliminary engineering.

Chief of staff for the mayor of Tempe and the City Council, Eric Iwersen, said that the study will provide details of the specific location of the track on the street, the locations of the stations, any conflicts that might exist with utilities above ground, and what needs to be done to start a major train project in the area.

Flyer printing services can be used to inform residents of the area of such projects and let them know how they can provide feedback.

The study is expected to begin next month and last until the summer of 2025.