Phoenix city leaders are now looking north and east to extend the light rail line. On Wednesday, the city’s Transportation Subcommittee approved spending up to $400,000 to study two options that would both end around Cactus Road and Tatum Boulevard, referred to as the Paradise Valley Mall area.
The study will look at where to begin the northeast extension, either around Central Avenue and Camelback Road or from the proposed Metrocenter Mall station near 27th Avenue and Dunlap Avenue.
The research could take up to two years and will include capital and operating costs, engineering issues, ridership forecasts and possible federal funding. Valley Metro is responsible for the study and is expected to reimburse Phoenix in fiscal year 2021-2022, the date agreed upon in the regional transportation plan.
Current plans call for the extension to the Paradise Valley Mall area to be completed by 2034.
