Metro Phoenix Transit/Transportation Developments - Page 259

exit2lef · #**5161** Posted **Nov 11, 2016, 4:39 AM**

"Following a nationwide search, the Boards of Directors have offered Smith the CEO position for a period of two years. Salary and other contract details are being finalized." In other words, he's making the transition from interim to full-fledged CEO. I see this as a positive development. Smith has done a good job as both Mayor of Mesa and Interim CEO of Valley Metro. It may also help that he's a Republican and can more effectively make a conservative case for transit. That will be crucial in securing federal assistance, if it remains available, for future projects. http://www.valleymetro.org/pressrele...lley-metro-ceo

Buckeye Native 001 · #**5162** Posted **Nov 12, 2016, 1:01 AM**

I'm happy for Smith, he's a good fit for Valley Metro.

He's the only reason I got a Republican ballot for the 2014 gubernatorial primary (I was registered as an Independent).

exit2lef · #**5163** Posted **Nov 16, 2016, 5:19 PM**

"Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport will begin offering international flights for the first time. The East Valley regional airport landed a deal with NewLeaf Travel Co. to offer flights to Canada. Three weekly nonstop flights will be available to Calgary, Alberta, and one weekly nonstop flight will be available to Edmonton, Alberta."

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/n...ands-first.htm

exit2lef · #**5164** Posted **Nov 21, 2016, 6:38 PM**

Following right on the heels of NewLeaf's announcement:

"Canadian airline WestJet has announced that it will begin flights between Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, effective Jan. 19 and 21, respectively."

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/n...o-phoenix.html

exit2lef · #**5165** Posted **Nov 28, 2016, 12:28 AM**

"Two years of construction and more than $90 million spent widening the Loop 101 freeway in Scottsdale added an extra lane in each direction this fall but won't eliminate congestion that plagues the area, transportation officials say."

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/...tion/93814032/

Although the phrase "induced demand" is not used in the article, I think it's a factor in explaining why widening the 101 will not remedy congestion. At best, it keeps everyone on a treadmill in which road capacity continuously struggles to keep pace with traffic growth.

exit2lef · #**5166** Posted **Nov 28, 2016, 12:54 PM**

This is part of the same series that covered the 101 in another article.

"Experts say the West Valley's unusually rapid growth is to blame for the I-10 commuter nightmare. When the population in cities like Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear and Surprise exploded in the early 2000s, infrastructure improvements and economic development couldn't keep up."

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/...enix/94092114/

It would be nice to see more depth in the Republic's coverage. Induced demand, job sprawl, and non-automotive transport aren't mentioned at all in this article.

Obadno · #**5167** Posted **Dec 5, 2016, 4:33 PM**

Interesting article: http://thepointsguy.com/2016/11/best...orts-usa-2016/

Phoenix ranked #1 by this magazine for customer experience. It has been ranking high all over for the last several years in similar categories.

I must say of all the airports I have been to sky harbor is the fastest from curb to gate Ive been to and it has great food for an airport.

if your read the comments its full of a lot of people complaining that there are long walks for connecting flights. They are mad at the airport because they scheduled their flights to close together

exit2lef · #**5168** Posted **Dec 28, 2016, 12:18 AM**

The good news is an extra flight to Heathrow three times a week:

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/n...t-in-2017.html

The bad news is retrenchment by American Airlines at Sky Harbor:

http://www.azcentral.com/longform/tr...enix/95419400/

Phxguy · #**5169** Posted **Jan 9, 2017, 5:49 PM**

Wasn't sure where to put this.

A new cycling path seems to have popped up just across the 202 from Riverview park in West Mesa. If you're driving east on the 202, just before reaching the 101 (in fact the best view to see it is taking the 101 N ramp), it will be on your right. Where the Rio Salado riptarian basin is, a berm rises above it and is now a bike path. I don't where it connects to but I noticed it a few days ago. They appear to be done with it, now it's only a question of where does it lead and when does it open?

exit2lef · #**5170** Posted **Jan 9, 2017, 6:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Wasn't sure where to put this.

A new cycling path seems to have popped up just across the 202 from Riverview park in West Mesa. If you're driving east on the 202, just before reaching the 101 (in fact the best view to see it is taking the 101 N ramp), it will be on your right. Where the Rio Salado riptarian basin is, a berm rises above it and is now a bike path. I don't where it connects to but I noticed it a few days ago. They appear to be done with it, now it's only a question of where does it lead and when does it open?

It's supposed to connect with the path on the south side of Tempe Town Lake, which in turn connects with the Scottsdale Greenbelt on the north side of the lake. I remember riding an unofficial route along this alignment circa 1990 before the freeway was even built. A quarter century later, it's nice to have an official paved path.

http://www.azmag.gov/Documents-Ext/M...o%20Salado.pdf

muertecaza · #**5171** Posted **Jan 9, 2017, 6:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Wasn't sure where to put this.

They appear to be done with it, now it's only a question of where does it lead and when does it open?

Quote:

It's supposed to connect with the path on the south side of Tempe Town Lake, which in turn connects with the Scottsdale Greenbelt on the north side of the lake. I remember riding an unofficial route along this alignment circa 1990 before the freeway was even built. A quarter century later, it's nice to have an official paved path.

On the West, it already connects to the Tempe Town Lake path. They have completed the section that goes under the 101/202 interchange. On the East, it will have two outlets, one through a tunnel under the 202 to connect to Sloan Park/Riverview, and one at the Dobson offramp from the 202.

It was supposed to open in December. The signs around the entrance to the path at Riverview unfortunately have now blacked out that "December, 2016" and now just say "Coming Soon," so I can't say when exactly it'll be done, but it seems close. I've been following this one closely because my commute is currently along Rio Salado and I'm looking forward to using the path. Last time I checked the pavement was only about halfway to the connection with Sloan Park. I'll have to go check it out again.

Also of note, Mesa has started construction on the next segment of the path, the "Stadium Connector Path." It's planned to connect the Rio Salado Path at Sloan Park to Hohokam Park at Center/Brown in Mesa.

http://www.mesaaz.gov/business/engin...dium-connector

They've already got the sections of Country Club and Brown (in green) torn up and seem to be making quick work on the protected bike paths. By summer, it should be a great route from central Mesa all the way to the 143. Now if Phoenix would connect their end, it could be a complete East-West pathway all the way into central Phoenix.

exit2lef · #**5172** Posted **Jan 9, 2017, 7:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by muertecaza

They've already got the sections of Country Club and Brown (in green) torn up and seem to be making quick work on the protected bike paths. By summer, it should be a great route from central Mesa all the way to the 143. Now if Phoenix would connect their end, it could be a complete East-West pathway all the way into central Phoenix.

Excellent news and I agree about the need for Phoenix to step up.

ASU Diablo · #**5173** Posted **Jan 13, 2017, 3:57 PM**

Saw this posted on the Tucson thread but figured it would get more looks here. Preferred route for passenger rail service between Phoenix/Tucson has been chosen:

http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-an...2f5ac95a1.html

muertecaza · #**5174** Posted **Jan 13, 2017, 4:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by airomero83

Saw this posted on the Tucson thread but figured it would get more looks here. Preferred route for passenger rail service between Phoenix/Tucson has been chosen:

http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-an...2f5ac95a1.html

Nice. The "yellow" alternative always seemed like the best one to me. It would be able to service both Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway, and go through the downtowns of Tempe, Mesa (close enough), Gilbert and Queen Creek. And in a dream scenario, maybe using the historic train depots in Tempe and Phoenix.

muertecaza · #**5175** Posted **Jan 13, 2017, 4:43 PM**

Also of note, the South Central light rail line continues along the long slow path to federal dollars. It received its Finding of No Significant Impact on its Environmental Assessment.

http://www.valleymetro.org/projects_.../south_central

http://www.valleymetro.org/images/up...28FONSI%29.pdf

exit2lef · #**5176** Posted **Jan 18, 2017, 5:06 PM**

Announced at a MAG Transit Committee meeting yesterday: The Tempe Streetcar project now has a revised completion date of 2020, rather than 2019. Federal timing was cited as the reason.

muertecaza · #**5177** Posted **Jan 23, 2017, 5:04 PM**

Semi-interesting updates from Valley Metro Board of Directors Meeting (http://www.valleymetro.org/images/up..._Posting.pdf):

As the first spur lines come on board, the intention is to use a letter/color combination to designate different lines (i.e. 'A' train on a yellow background). The plan is to introduce this convention with the Tempe Street Car, as it is planned to be the first new line to open. The packet gives an example of what this might look like (this is not an actual alignment):
Valley Metro named Stacy and Witbeck as Construction Manager for the Street Car. There has been some concern that the Trump administration would "zero out" federal transportation funding. But my understanding is that the Street Car is supposed to be funded by CMAQ funds, which are already authorized by law, passed by Congress and signed by Obama through 2020. So I don't think there is too much concern there.
They're funding fare box refurbishments, which, from my experience, is needed.

exit2lef · #**5178** Posted **Jan 23, 2017, 5:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by muertecaza

They're funding fare box refurbishments, which, from my experience, is needed.

Good to see they're also moving to simplified station names whenever possible.

What does the last sentence about "funding fare box reimbursements" mean?

muertecaza · #**5179** Posted **Jan 23, 2017, 6:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Good to see they're also moving to simplified station names whenever possible.

What does the last sentence about "funding fare box reimbursements" mean?

Replacing key components in ticketing machines on buses and rail stations (rather than replacing the full machines). I've had them not work for me, and apparently Valley Metro shows increased breakdowns in the machines over the last few years.

exit2lef · #**5180** Posted **Jan 23, 2017, 6:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by muertecaza

Replacing key components in ticketing machines on buses and rail stations (rather than replacing the full machines). I've had them not work for me, and apparently Valley Metro shows increased breakdowns in the machines over the last few years.

Sorry, my error. I misread "refurbishment" as "reimbursement." The fareboxes on Valley Metro buses, in particular, are prone to error. I'm glad to know they'll be getting some attention.