14 April 21 - May 4, 2007
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Light rail from Page 1
no one approach that can meet everyone’s needs or 2004 and possible local sales taxes that would require
solve all the problems.” further voter approval.
Different options include adding freeways, high- In addition to the high cost, another downside is
occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, buses, express buses, the potential for years of added traffi c disruption due
pedestrian-friendly communities, commuter trains to construction, which has been an issue during the
and light rail. current phase of light rail development in Phoenix.
Valley Metro’s 20-mile light rail system is under Normand acknowledges this as an area of concern.
construction through central Phoenix heading east “A lot of planning goes into reducing the traffi c
into Tempe and Mesa and is set to open by the end of impact. It depends on where the construction
2008. The City of Chandler has now become the fi fth happens, the design, how you phase it and traffi c
city to join Metro’s board of directors, seeking a place control planning,” he says. “The goal is to minimize
at the table to determine light rail’s future. disruption and impact for drivers.”
“Chandler is an important community to the region, But Chandler residents shouldn’t start planning
and light rail is a regional system. It’s important to be their alternate routes quite yet. Even if all of the
connected to that system,” says Normand.
STSN photo by Gordon Murray
FAST TRACK: Here’s what the light rail track looks like coming
elements fall into place, the start of construction
Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn’s primary goal is to through Arizona State University in Tempe. is more than a decade down the road. Due to the
protect the light rail corridors determined by voters complex nature of a project like light rail, planning
as part of Proposition 400 in 2004, specifi cally the and revitalization in historic downtown Chandler and coordination usually starts 10 to 15 years in
segment heading south toward Chandler. along Arizona Avenue. advance.
“If light rail is successful with the current routes “This is not just a transportation system, but it “Because Valley Metro’s study is starting, it’s
that are being built, there’s going to be a demand to has also acted as a catalyst for redevelopment in important for Chandler to be involved and engaged in
have it built elsewhere,” Dunn states. He points to downtown areas in Phoenix and other cities,” says the process,” says Normand.
“efforts from other parts of the Valley to jump on the Normand. While the future of light rail in Chandler isn’t a
bandwagon and perhaps even cut in line. Now that The cost for an individual to ride light rail should guarantee, city offi cials are hopeful.
light rail is being built people are getting excited about end up being the same as a fare for a Valley Metro “When you look at a city like Salt Lake City that was
it and seeing the possibilities.” bus. a controversial system when they fi rst built their light
The currently funded plan will extend light rail “You’ll be able to buy a daily pass and use it on the rail, and now they can’t build it fast enough,” offers
south through Tempe on Rural Road as far as Southern light rail or the bus system,” says Normand. Dunn. “I just think it means convenience, it means
Avenue and east into downtown Mesa. In addition, The potential cost for the light rail extension into comfort, it means being able to make your time more
Metro is studying the possibility of bringing light rail Chandler is unclear at this point. productive than sitting in freeway traffi c.”
into Chandler, focusing on Rural Road, the Arizona “Like any big transportation system it’s expensive to
Avenue corridor and Chandler Boulevard including build,” admits Normand. The budget for bringing light
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer and lives with her husband
the Chandler Fashion Center area, according to rail to Chandler would likely come from a combination
and two small boys in Cooper Commons. She can be reached at
Natalie@SanTanSun.com.
Normand. of sources including the federal government, a regional
One added benefi t could be further development transportation sales tax already approved by voters in
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6 Sat 8-4
(EXCLUDES CANADA)
EXP 5/15/2007 EXP 5/15/2007 EXP 5/15/2007
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