The Voice - Student Newspaper

Light rail expanding to Glendale in 2019

Valley Metro board members plan to expand the light rail to Glendale. The extension is to be completed in 2019.

The Valley Metro transit eventually will reach 57 miles by 2030.

Extending the light rail is a possibility due to Glendale and Phoenix transportations sales tax measures and Proposition 400 funds.

Upcoming light rail construction plans are to be funded additionally by regional and local funding.

However, construction is currently on hold for two years, giving voters a second chance to rethink the current 57 mile light rail they voted for in Proposition 400.

But Arizona citizens are not too happy about the light rail expansion. Taxpayers are upset their money is going toward this project. "The light rail in Glendale will just increase congestion, which is unnecessary," stated Christina Karimi.

Even more people are asking why the light rail needs to be expanded.

Also wondering why we have buses if they don't provide the utmost transportation needed.

Different options are being pushed into determining where exactly and how to expand the light rail.

The options for Glendale: -Voters will finalize if the light rail will travel down downtown Glendale adjacent to Glendale Avenue from a northern extension of 20 miles.

Going as far as downtown to Glendale Avenue and to Westgate.Travel to Westgate through the I-10 and Loop 101.

-Go along Westgate through the I-10 and approaching Desert Sky Mall. Or, going the same route to Desert Sky Mall but using the Loop 101 to Westgate.

Please send comments to balarcon@gccvoice.com