PHOENIX — Valley Metro Rail expanded its system on Saturday with the opening of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub, a 5.5-mile addition that extends light rail service into South Phoenix and establishes the region’s first two-line configuration.
The extension connects South Phoenix to downtown and the larger Valley Metro network, forming a system with east-west and north-south lines. According to Valley Metro, the project includes eight new stations, a transit hub in downtown Phoenix, and a park-and-ride facility at Baseline Road and Central Avenue.
The opening was marked by a public celebration attended by more than 5,000 people, according to transit officials. Events were held at three locations, including the Downtown Hub and Ed Pastor Transit Center, and featured live entertainment, a car show, and a community procession.
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“This project marks an important new connection for residents and moves us closer to our goals as a sustainable and accessible city,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The South Central Extension allows the B Line to operate north-south through South Phoenix into downtown, while the A Line runs east-west. Valley Metro said weekday service will operate every 12 minutes before 7 p.m.
With the new segment, the Valley Metro Rail system now spans 35 miles and is projected to increase daily boardings by more than 8,000, adding to the current average of 32,000 daily riders.
Valley Metro CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller said the project was developed in collaboration with residents and emphasized its role in regional connectivity. “We built this project with the community to achieve their vision,” she said. “This new connection to South Phoenix is a major step in expanding mobility options.”
The $1.34 billion project was funded through a combination of local and federal sources. More than half of the funding came from federal grants, with additional support from the city’s Transportation 2050 plan and Proposition 400, a regional transportation tax renewed by voters in 2024 as Proposition 479.
The project also included infrastructure and street improvements along the corridor. Valley Metro reported that more than 30 miles of underground utilities were replaced, 550 desert-adapted trees were planted, and new bike lanes and sidewalks were added.
Officials said more than 5,000 jobs were created during construction, with over 600 workers hired directly from South Phoenix neighborhoods.
Public art installations are featured at each of the eight new stations, with contributions from 18 artists—most of them local—intended to reflect the cultural and historical character of the surrounding communities.
The City of Phoenix and Valley Metro also implemented a financial assistance program for small businesses impacted by construction. According to Valley Metro, 270 grants totaling more than $1.6 million were awarded to businesses along the route.
Local officials, including Councilmembers Anna Hernandez and Kesha Hodge Washington, said the project provides expanded transit access to an area that previously lacked direct rail service.
“This new extension will connect South Phoenix with the rest of the city,” Hernandez said. “It’s a long-awaited milestone for District 7.”
Councilmember Hodge Washington said the project adds infrastructure to an area that has historically been underserved. “South Phoenix deserves investment and inclusion,” she said.
The expansion is part of Valley Metro’s broader effort to create a 50-mile high-capacity rail system. Additional extensions are currently in planning or under construction, including in the East and West Valleys.
The South Central Extension/Downtown Hub is the latest in a series of recent light rail developments in the U.S. On Friday, Los Angeles opened its LAX/Metro Transit Center station, bringing rail service closer to Los Angeles International Airport. That station connects to shuttle service and will eventually link to the under-construction LAX Automated People Mover.
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