42. Cruisin' into 2025

Look ahead: 2025

Juliana 00:00

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your daily commute?

Ricky: 00:03

Or how transportation impacts the community you call home?

Juliana: 00:06

Maybe you want to explore outside your community and don't know where to start.

Ricky: 00:10

Well, you're in luck because this is where you hop on.

Juliana: 00:13

I'm Julianna Vasquez-Keating.

Ricky: 00:14

And I'm Ricky Tejada.

Juliana: 00:16

We work for Valley Metro and together we'll discover all the ways that public transit enhances lives across the cities we serve.

Ricky: 00:23

And we might even make some new friends along the way.

Juliana: 00:26

Welcome to Storylines. Happy New Year from Storylines. A new year means new roads to travel in 2025.

Ricky: 00:35

It's going to be hard to top 2024. Just a year ago this month, we opened three new light rail stations, including our first elevated station as part of the Northwest Extension Phase II. Phoenix also hosted the Final Four, and we teamed up with the NCAA to offer attendees free rides to the games and events around town.

Juliana: 00:54

We also had the honor of hosting former Second Gentlemen, Doug Emhoff, who joined us for a ride on the Streetcar to highlight the Rio East Dobson Extension Study. The community also came together to celebrate the revival of Plaza 19 at 19th Avenue and Dunlap. And we reached a major milestone with one of our most ambitious initiatives to date, the complete rollout of our Fare Modernization Project.

Ricky: 01:18

We closed out 2024 with the passage of Proposition 479, an extension of the existing transportation tax that will continue to support our services for years to come. And speaking of the future, I'm excited to see what's in store for Valley Metro in 2025.

Juliana: 01:34

Well if you can believe it, we have even bigger plans for 2025. We're chatting with someone from our Capital Development team to hear all about what's ahead.

Tony: 01:43

Tony Santana, I'm the Deputy Chief of Design and Construction for our Capital Development Division here at Valley Metro.

Juliana: 01:53

So Tony, what are the most significant milestones Valley Metro riders can look forward to in 2025?

Tony: 01:59

So, the most significant milestones that we can look forward to in 2025, I think the biggest one is opening another project our South Central Downtown Hub project. That is under construction since 2019. We're really excited to get this project up and running. We just had another exciting project that opened in 2024 with Northwest Extension Phase II, this time last year and now we're looking forward to opening another extension to expand our system further and connect more communities and enhance lives.

Ricky: 02:29

You mentioned the South Central Extension Downtown Hub is opening this year. What unique challenges did this project present from a construction and design perspective?

Tony: 02:40

These challenges exist on all of our extensions, but particularly in this area because it is an older corridor. But every time we build a light rail project, we have to relocate utilities. And anytime you open up the ground for something that has been there for so long, you seem to find things that are unknown they're new challenges for your project, but also there's a lot of archaeological artifacts out in this project. We found over 101,000 artifacts on this project. Which causes a lot of challenges. And when it comes to schedule and constructability, because it just slows us down. So we have to resequence, work with our contractors. So there is a lot of challenges out there we're working underground, but then even above ground. This project had multiple stakeholders to deal with from the downtown area to our stakeholders on the central corridor from small businesses to homes to hotels. So there was just a lot of coordination and a lot of work that our teams had to do to get ahead of letting folks know that we're going to have some loud noises here with construction. There's just a variety of things that come with that when you're building in an urban environment. So there was a lot of challenges Not just below ground on this project, but above ground and dealing with the many stakeholders in the area.

Juliana: 03:48

So how will this extension change how people ride Valley Metro Rail specifically with the introduction of a two-line system?

Tony: 03:57

We're really excited about that. So this is the first time that we're going to be introducing another direction of travel for our riders. Typically we're just doing a normal extension where we tie in at the end and we extend our one-line system out. But as you mentioned, this is going to be now a two-line system that'll get you from the Metro Center area in North Phoenix, All the way to Central and Baseline heading north to south and then from the downtown area east to west out to Gilbert Road and Main. So this is really exciting for us because it does allow us to now have a transfer hub, Phoenix Downtown Hub in the Central Phoenix area that allows you to go from the east-west system to the north-south. So you can be at Central and Baseline, transfer at downtown, and then get yourself to Sky Harbor Airport, for example. So we're really excited about that. It's a new challenge for a lot of our folks here at Valley Metro, but we have a lot of folks that have worked on other systems as well that they're bringing that knowledge to help us deal with the change to our system and how do we integrate that. So that integration process is actually going to start up here in March for the downtown area.

Ricky: 05:00

What else makes this expansion different from other projects?

Tony: 05:03

I think another part of this is that what makes this one different is prior to construction, 7th Avenue, 7th Street and Central had some of the highest near capacity bus ridership in the city of Phoenix. So, we knew that we needed some other mode of transportation being high capacity transit, to get folks around because also in this area, a lot of folks have, they're just without personal transportation. So meaning you're walking or biking to work, school or wherever you have to travel to. So I think it's a big one for us because there is a lot of folks that just don't have personal transportation. So to get you from point A to point B, to get you to downtown Phoenix, or ASU, or Sky Harbor, and now you can take one mode of transportation, being the light rail, I think it's a big deal for the community.

Juliana: 05:51

Yeah, so we're providing that enhanced mobility to this South Phoenix area.

Tony: 05:55

Absolutely. And that was another big part of our design. When we build light rail, that's one part of it, but as we mentioned, we do all new infrastructure underground, but above ground, right, with all new sidewalks, landscaping, this project had a real importance to give them bike lanes back to make sure folks still had bike lanes on Central. There's also bus routes still on Central. So they still have , that ability to take a bus, walk, ride a bike, but now you have this other mode with light rail.

Juliana: 06:21

Yeah, so introducing a new mode of transportation, you're enhancing mobility, you're providing that additional option on top of coordinating with the bus as well, so they can not only catch a bus, they can catch light rail.

Tony: 06:32

Absolutely.

Ricky: 06:33

So beyond the South Central extension, the Downtown Hub project, can you tell us about other light rail expansions that are in the planning phase?

Tony: 06:43

Yeah, so right now, one of the projects we're currently in design advancement for is the Capital Extension project that will tie in from 3rd Avenue and Washington and Jefferson. And it's actually a westbound towards the state capital area and have a loop at 15th Avenue, which then it would return back to the downtown area. That project sets up our next project that's in the planning phase that will connect the 10-West extension that will take us out to 79th Avenue and Thomas and that one we're really excited about. That's nearly a 10-mile extension and gets us a lot of access to that West Valley that I know that community is really excited about bringing light rail to the West side. And we also are looking at other, Streetcar opportunities out in Tempe. we're in the planning phase for the Rio East, Dobson extension. That will extend us from the current streetcar on Rio Salado to Dobson and Main on Tyne, giving us really a loop back into Mesa to the existing light rail system there on Main and Dobson. The other ones beyond just extensions, some of the projects that we have in our Capital Development department is as we're in a maturing system, we have a lot of ongoing state of good repair projects. One that we're recently excited about, Tempe Town Lake Bridge. We just fixed all of the lights on that bridge, so if you get a chance to get out there at night, you'll see all those lights functioning now over the Tempe Town Lake, it's really a sight to see, so I encourage folks to go out there and look at it. Some of the other things that we're working on is we assisted with the installation of the new TVM system or the fare collections. So all of those fare collection systems are now installed for the light rail system. And we plan on having all of the fare collections completed on the Streetcar by this summer. So we're really excited about that. And the other thing we're doing and working closely with our bus folks is, we’re really looking forward to getting the electric buses here. We're expecting to have electric buses by 2027, 2028. So some of the things we have to do to prepare for that is building, charging facilities at our bus facility. So, we're working on projects with bus folks to make sure we're ready for those electric buses.

Juliana: 08:53

Wow, we've got a lot going on, for sure.

Tony: 08:57

For sure.

Juliana: 08:58

Our system is growing up, Tony.

Tony: 09:01

It is, It is, and just like everything, you know, I have a teenage daughter, and things change quickly, and you gotta change with them, so, with that being said, we're also painting all the stations, so there's another change you'll see, so, but anyhow.

Ricky: 09:15

So it is in its teenage years, I mean, kind of like my son where he's throwing his little teenager tantrums, like everything is a big deal, you know?

Tony: 09:23

Everything is a big deal. And for us, this is a big deal, right? It's taxpayer dollars, but this is the community I know I grew up in and lived in. So to me, it's a big deal and it means a lot to me, but all of the folks I know I work around, they're very passionate about it. So we're excited to continue. We're glad that the tax initiative passed, so we can continue to do what we do best.

Juliana: 09:43

Connect communities and enhance lives.

Tony: 09:46

Juliana: 09:48

So when you talk about, the other expansion projects, can we expect to see more community outreach with those projects, Capital Extension, I-10 Expansion, and the Streetcar?

Tony: 09:57

Yeah, absolutely. we're planning on getting out to the community to talk about the connections to CapEx and I-10 here in the coming months, we're also going to go out to the public as well. Where our next major milestone for design for Capital Extension is here in February. So shortly after that, we'll be working with our team to get out to the public to show them any of the design advancements we have on those projects.

Ricky: 10:20

Tony, I think this would be cool. Could you walk us through or kind of give us like, what it's like for a project, like the lifespan of an actual project? Like where does it start? How does it move into the design phase? You know, figuring out where the platforms are to the, you know, then being built. And then, final like certification and then like revenue service. Can you talk us through the steps of what's the lifespan of a light rail extension project?

Tony: 10:47

It's kind of hard to narrow down on an exact time frame, but there is, the basic steps are the planning phase. Then it enters into a preliminary engineering phase. Then it goes to final design and then ultimately construction. And then, as you mentioned, we'll start to get ready for testing and integrating and then ultimately operating. But the planning phase, it just depends right working with our city partners, depending on funding sources. There's a lot of aspects that how long that duration can be. But at a minimum, don't see these projects being planned faster than 3 years, but it could take upwards. And some of these projects were talked about, since 2010, if you're looking at South Central, or even earlier. So there’s a lot that goes on to it. Cities like us to look at areas. Our planning teams does a great job of looking at corridors, like I mentioned with South Central, they look at our existing system with our bus system and the ridership there. They conduct a lot of studies in the planning phase to determine what kind of transportation mode that we would have to go with if we ultimately build in that area. So there's a lot of studies that happen even before we even get to the planning phase. So it could be many of years in that study kind of planning phase. And then once it gets to design, depending on how long it is, our typical designs range from about two years to two to three years, depending on the size of the project. And then ultimately construction can take anywhere from three to where we see in South Central five years is our construction phase. And then our testing and things of that nature and getting it integrated and ready for service is about a six to eight month process to get it integrated and safe for the public.

Juliana: 12:22

And then, with every phase of the project, the community is involved, correct?

Tony: 12:28

Every single phase. We know a lot about the data and what we see, but unfortunately, we don't live in every community. And the best way to find out is to go out there and get their input and make sure that input is incorporated in the project.

Juliana: 12:41

And that's something that we plan. We plan every public meetings, public input for every stage.

Tony: 12:46

Absolutely. Yeah. And the more frequent there are obviously, when we're in construction, where they're on a probably a more upfront basis, but early in the design and planning stage, we make sure any major milestone or any major update, we're out there getting feedback from the public.

Juliana: 13:02

So, Tony, you talked about community involvement in all of our projects. How has community input played a role in the design of the Capital Extension project?

Tony: 13:12

On the Capital Extension, just hearing feedback from the community our design team did a really good job early. They came in at about 6 to 8 months ago. And they heard loud and clear from the community that we really need to stress the importance of making sure we have protected bike lanes throughout the Capital Extension. We didn't have that to start and me and Markus Coleman from the city of Phoenix promised them we'll look into it. And we did. And we're meeting with those folks to see what we could do about having bike lanes throughout the corridor. I think we have a great solution. Some more to come on that. But we are working with them closely and the last meeting we had with them was very promising. So the community input does matter because we do see it, but there's some limitations that we have, but the more feedback we get, that's the more we can press and challenge our teams to do what the community ultimately wants.

Juliana: 14:02

Okay, is there anything else you'd like to add?

Tony: 14:05

Yeah, I think specific to South Central and then maybe I'll touch on a couple others, but specifically on South Central, every project, has a lot of unique features. But specifically on our programs, which I'm really proud to say that our city partners, fund artwork on every one of our projects. And I'm really excited about South Phoenix's art. We had 18 artists on this project, and I know Juliana, you were just there and there was a recent news report on some of our artwork that was out there and it's just, it's really exciting to see folks taking pictures and stopping and looking at the artwork that is being installed on South Central. So I'm really excited about our art program and the art pieces that we're starting to see out there get installed and that process talking about the community. It had a lot of input from the community on the, what's the artwork going to look lik,e interfacing with the artists. So, MB Finnerty and her did a great job, just coordinating running that program to make sure we had feedback and installing that art. So really happy about that. And then just in general, like we mentioned. Challenges of construction. We had over 30 miles, if you can imagine of utility relocations on that project, it's a 5 and a half mile project that we have 30 miles of utility relocation. So 6 times of of the project pretty much is what we did underground and nobody even sees it. So that's a good thing. That's new water lines of people's businesses, homes, new connections for your sewer line storm drain. So it's a really good thing to have these projects when they come in. It's not just a light rail project.

Juliana: 15:35

It's a community investment, yes.

Tony: 15:37

Absolutely, absolutely. And then like you mentioned, all new sidewalks, connectivity is very important, so making sure we meet ADA and ADA compliance, making sure it's safe for the public, making sure all the roadway lighting, it's well lit on the roadway, so if we're gonna make it a walkable space, we gotta make it a safe space, so all of our team designing, and working on that, we're really proud to have that on this project.

Juliana: 16:01

The two-line system is going to bring a lot of change to our light rail system. And as part of operations, I'm sure your department has a lot of work to do, Ricky.

Ricky: 16:09

Yeah, Juliana, I've spent a lot of long nights overseeing testing of the new system as we prepare for the official opening later this year.

Juliana: 16:17

Well, as we approach the opening, we'll be sure to keep you, our listeners, updated on the opening celebration and everything in between. In addition to light rail, we're continuously working to improve and expand bus service as well. We're launching a comprehensive operational analysis of our bus service, or in simpler terms, we're taking a closer look at our service, from schedules, routes, ridership trends, and much more, to find ways to improve your experience as a rider. So long story short, there's a lot going on, so stay tuned.

Ricky: 16:48

That's it for this episode of Storylines. Don't forget to subscribe to us on your podcast app of choice. For Valley Metro, I'm Ricky.

Juliana: 16:56

I'm Julianna.

Ricky: 16:57

Thanks for riding with us.

Juliana: 16:59

We'll meet you at the next stop. Storylines is produced by Alex Tsotsos. Peter Corkery is the executive producer. For Ricky Tejada, I'm Julianna Vasquez-Keating, thanks for listening