Metro Phoenix Transit/Transportation Developments

[N830MH]

Here is the link:

http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix...on-sales-tax-increase-for-transportation

Thought you want to read this. They already approved from city council by last night. You will have to vote in August. Whatever if you say YES.

[KEVINphx]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Fun fact: Most people dont realize that no public transportation system makes money, most people assume that NYC Chicago, DC etc. Make a profit on their trains.

If most people don't realize this, then most people are idiots . . . but then again!

Also, if people do not realize that ALL forms of transportation in this country is "subsidized" so they can — an egg as far as complaining about funding mass transit . . . who gives two shits if they don't use it. Unless they are on privately funded/maintained roads or access points - then who are they to complain about "subsidized" transport? Morons.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Well for a lot of people light rail is seen as a waste of money, theyll never use it and it will never be profitable etc etc. It makes sense that people in his representation wouldnt want transit why should thye need to pay to subsidize other peoples transport etc. etc.

Id like to explain the bennifits to them but there you have it.

For what it's worth, Diciccio's district has a northern portion. Light rail runs along its edge on Camelback between Central and 7th Ave.

[combusean]

I don't think I'll ever forgive Mayor Phil for appointing DiCiccio to replace Stanton's seat.

Moreover, the fact that the polity that made Stanton a much-loved councilman from D6 are the same that keeps re-electing DiCiccio absolutely boggles my mind.

[N830MH]

http://www.azfamily.com/news/Phoenix-pub...o-to-voters-295008681.html#ixzz3TRorvBVq

PHOENIX -- Roads and the public transit system in Phoenix could soon get upgrades after the City Council approved a 35-year plan that includes an increase in the city's transit sales TAX TO fund the $30 billion price tag.

The issue still needs to go before voters and probably will be on the ballot in August, officials said.

Don't forget to vote YES.

[N830MH]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loca...-proceed-future-rail-extension/24394521/

After more than a year of legal challenges, Mesa has secured the final go-ahead to implement an innovative financing plan for a future 1.9-mile light-rail extension.

After more than a year of legal challenges that reached Arizona's highest court, Mesa has the final go-ahead to implement a creative financing plan that would eventually take light rail to Gilbert Road.

Joe Price, an outspoken critic of light rail along Mesa's Main Street, has been fighting the city on the plan since 2013, when he sued to halt the extension. Price argued Mesa should be focusing on improving existing roadways, building freeways and enhancing bus service instead of expanding light rail, contending the funding plan for the $162 million extension required a public vote.

[N830MH]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loca...es-billion-transportation-plan/24354033/

Phoenix voters will decide on a $30 billion-plus transportation plan funded in part by a sales tax increase after the City Council on Tuesday approved sending it to the ballot.

Residents will vote as soon as August on a 0.70 percent sales tax, or $0.70 on a $100 purchase, that would be in place from 2016 through 2050 to fund transportation.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by combusean

I don't think I'll ever forgive Mayor Phil for appointing DiCiccio to replace Stanton's seat.

Moreover, the fact that the polity that made Stanton a much-loved councilman from D6 are the same that keeps re-electing DiCiccio absolutely boggles my mind.

Hey man, politicians are like women, trust them to break your heart.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Classical in Phoenix

http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/10/t...er-transit-in-a-car-reliant-city/382148/

Mayor Stanton gets a transit interview on a global stage!

That was a good, fun read. Don't hang there but I have read a number of things on citylab. I especially like Richard Florida's work.

[mdpx]

South Mountain Freeway gains final federal approval

http://azdot.gov/mobile/media/news/2015/03/10/south-mountain-freeway-gains-final-federal-approval

[HooverDam]

Originally Posted by mdpx

South Mountain Freeway gains final federal approval

http://azdot.gov/mobile/media/news/2015/03/10/south-mountain-freeway-gains-final-federal-approval

Barf!

[N830MH]

Check out this article from azcentral:

Details of Phoenix's $31.7B transit plan

http://azc.cc/1GphXv7

A $31.7 billion, 35-year Phoenix transportation plan approved by the City Council last week hinges on voters passing a sales-TAX increase that could go to the ballot as soon as August.

The council has yet to approve exactly what wording residents will see on their ballots when they vote, but how the city would spend the money is set and debate on the plan already has started.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by HooverDam

Barf!

We all knew this was going to happen eventually

Luckily the sprawl will be limited to just laveen; Ahwatukke is totally built out.

But it seems odd the state is so hell-bent on a highway that's designed to avoid Phoenix???

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Luckily the sprawl will be limited to just laveen; Ahwatukke is totally built out.

My fear is that the SMF will be a sprawl enabler for points far beyond either of those sections of Phoenix. Right now, some people would hesitate to work in Gilbert and live in Buckeye (or vice-versa). With a new freeway providing a quick (at least for a while until induced demand catches up) route between the far west and southeastern portions of the metro area, living far away from work and making a long commute might suddenly seem more tolerable.

[N830MH]

http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix...-freeway-receives-final-federal-approval

The entire neighborhoods is not happy about Loop 202 project. They want to move away.

[Leo the Dog]

SMF is the missing link of the Loop system. It should be built and complete so that the City of Phoenix can now focus on alternative transportation modes, such as commuter rail and inner city rail options.

In the future it'll be difficult to ge the large Phoenix voting block to approve transit measures if it doesn't consist of mass transit lines. They won't vote for exurban freeways in Buckeye if they don't get their rail.

[PHX31]

The best part about the SMF is obviously the heavy truck traffic relief it will provide through central Phoenix. I-10 is filled with semis, many likely just passing through town on their way east or west. Get those off, and I-10 will be safer and hopefully have a little less congestion, especially during rush hours.

[HooverDam]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

My fear is that the SMF will be a sprawl enabler for points far beyond either of those sections of Phoenix. Right now, some people would hesitate to work in Gilbert and live in Buckeye (or vice-versa). With a new freeway providing a quick (at least for a while until induced demand catches up) route between the far west and southeastern portions of the metro area, living far away from work and making a long commute might suddenly seem more tolerable.

Indeed. Additionally, the I-10 West is going to become even more of a nightmare. In the short run you'll have the construction of the I-10-202 Interchange which will be a mess.

In the long run, more access points to a freeway necessarily mean more congestion. Thus, the L202 will help justify the SR35 "reliever" highway through southwest Phoenix/Tolleson/Avondale.

Originally Posted by PHX31

The best part about the SMF is obviously the heavy truck traffic relief it will provide through central Phoenix. I-10 is filled with semis, many likely just passing through town on their way east or west. Get those off, and I-10 will be safer and hopefully have a little less congestion, especially during rush hours.

Highways don't reduce congestion, by in large, they cause it.

Also if this flimsy excuse of diverting truck traffic was indeed the case, why build something to interstate standards? Why not save a billion dollars and build a parkway? Create regulations that only Phoenix bound trucks can stay on the I-10 and others must divert.

Lets be real here: the L-202 is being built for 2 reasons and 2 reasons only: Because ADOT feels their mission is to build new highways and to enable sprawl (or "development" as they'll call it) in Laveen/SW Valley.

Heck the other big reason we "had" to have the L-202 was to get Laveen a hospital (huh?), but that's already happened!

[PHX31]

/\ I just said it was the best part about it. I didn't say overall it is a good idea.

But I-10 has by far the highest percentage of truck traffic out of any of the freeways in town (not a surprise). Getting those that are unnecessarily in central Phoenix out of here will be a good thing.

[TakeFive]

I was mildly surprised that the SMF is to be 8 lanes from the get-go. But, I guess why not if you can do it.

Building it as an I-10 reliever makes sense to me. Sprawl is hardly a question with that segment. Sprawl, for better or worse is already built in for the most part. It would be a more relevant conversation elsewhere though.