Phoenix Public Transit Progresses With ARRA Projects
August 25, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — The Phoenix Public Transit Department announced it was awarded $88.8 million in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for projects in the Phoenix/Mesa urbanized area. The portion of these funds dedicated to city of Phoenix projects totals more than $29.1 million in improvements to its transit system and infrastructure, including $3.9 million for METRO light rail improvements in Phoenix. Also, as the region’s federal grant recipient for the Phoenix/Mesa urbanized area, the city of Phoenix was awarded additional funds to disburse to grant sub-recipients.
Official announcement of the award of funding from ARRA was made Aug.20 by the Federal Transit Administration, with many “shovel ready” projects scheduled to start work in late 2009 or early 2010.
Following is a chart detailing the city of Phoenix projects being funded:
*Dates are approximate, based on original grant application timelines.
| Project | Description | Grant Request | Start Construction* |
| Bus Stop Improvements | Transit pads, benches and shelters at various locations throughout the city | $4,321,217 | November 2009 |
| Happy Valley /I-17 Park-and-Ride and I-17 Access Ramp | 7.7-acre site; minimum of 500 covered parking spaces; landscaping; lighting; surveillance cameras; security building | $5,500,000 | November 2009 |
| Pecos/40th Street Park-and-Ride Expansion | Expansion of park-and-ride site, approximately 300 additional covered parking spaces | $3,000,000 | November 2009 |
| Central Station: Transit Center Refurbishments | Site upgrades including additional security cameras, a new signage system; new roof with solar components shade trees; landscape upgrades | $5,000,000 | February 2010 |
| Baseline Road /27th Avenue Park-and-Ride | Plan, design and construct a park-and-ride facility on a 2.5-acre site; approximately 200 covered parking spaces | $1,106,000 | March 2010 |
| Bus Crossover Lane (Bell Road/SR-51) | Construct a bus only crossover lane through the SR-51/Bell Road freeway interchange | $640,070 | March 2010 |
| Intelligent Transportation System: Regional Bus Stop Database | Acquire and install a new transit stop database | $300,000 | N/A (Contract awarded, software application) |
| Preventative maintenance costs for buses | Reimbursement | $5,400,000 | N/A (Ongoing) |
| $25,267,287 | |||
| Shade Canopies for METRO Light Rail | Install shade canopies at existing park-and-ride facilities along light rail alignment | $2,500,000 | September 2009 |
| Expansion of METRO Light Rail Central Avenue and Camelback Road Park-and-Ride | Plan, design and construct an expanded park-and-ride facility with approximately 200 covered parking spaces | $1,400,000 | November 2009 |
| $29,167,287 |
In total, the award includes funding for $52.7 million for other Valley Metro cities for new and improved facilities; bus stop improvements and upgrades to shade structures. The funding also includes $36 million in accelerated reimbursements for METRO light rail costs.
For more about city of Phoenix ARRA funding, visit phoenix.gov/recovery.
Media Contact:
Matthew Heil
602-261-8392
Marie Chapple Camacho
602-261-8254
