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Councilman Scharnow celebrates expansion of Valley light rail
Rail
Posted
Town Councilman Mike Scharnow recently participated in a grand-opening celebration to welcome the first train into a new Mesa light rail station.
The ceremony took place Saturday, May 18, at Gilbert Road and Main Street.
The 1.9-mile Gilbert Road light rail extension opened to serve East Valley residents and connect people to jobs, school and entertainment across the now 28 miles of light rail service across Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix.
“Since the light rail opened in Mesa, it’s been a force for revival and renewal,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles.
“Not only does it provide options for folks to reach important destinations, it has resulted in $240 million of completed economic development projects with more on the way. Without light rail, investment on this scale, over the past few years, would not have occurred.”
In addition to the capital investment, the light rail brings with it new infrastructure such as freshly paved streets, new sidewalks and natural landscaping.
Scharnow was appointed to Valley Metro’s board of directors several months ago as Fountain Hills’ representative at the table.
“It was a fun and festive celebration,” Scharnow said. “I was honored to represent our town at the event.
“While not directly impacting Fountain Hills, our residents can now drive to a park and ride at Gilbert and Main to catch the light rail system.
“I would encourage our homeowners to not only use the express bus service that’s offered from Fountain Hills into the Valley each workday, but also consider utilizing the light rail for different things.”
This most recent light rail extension, which includes the light rail system’s first roundabout at Horne and Main Street, broke ground in October 2016.
It includes a station at Stapley Drive and a transit center with bus service and a park-and-ride at Gilbert Road.
With the original 20 miles of light rail that opened in 2008, Mesa had one mile of service and a station at Sycamore and Main Street.
Seven years later, three new miles of rail with four stations began operating to downtown Mesa.
Since construction began in 2006, there have been 27 completed projects along the light rail in Mesa valued at $240 million in residential, commercial and educational development. Another 18 projects are planned near the light rail in Mesa, adding up to an investment of another $133.5 million.
