South Central Light Rail Extension

Phoenix, Arizona

The South Central Light Rail Extension expands Valley Metro’s light rail service by approximately 5.5 miles, connecting downtown Phoenix to Baseline Road. The extension features both single and double-track alignment, starting from Washington and Jefferson Streets, where it links with the existing light rail. The route includes southbound tracks on 1st Avenue and northbound tracks on Central Avenue, converging at Hadley Street to run bi-directionally within the Central Avenue median until reaching Baseline Road. Additionally, tracks were extended west of 1st Avenue at Washington and Jefferson Streets to 3rd Avenue, preparing for the future Cap I-10 Project alignment.

The project includes several key upgrades, including an overhead catenary system, 12 new stations, four in the downtown hub and eight between downtown and Baseline Road—along with two park-and-rides at Broadway and Baseline Roads. Major infrastructure components include embedded track work, five new traction power substations, signals at crossovers and gated intersections, extensive underground utility relocations, communications systems and ticket vending machines.

The alignment will cross over the Salt River and Western Canal and pass under the Union Pacific Railroad at key points, requiring significant modifications to the Salt River Bridge and a rebuild of the Western Canal Bridge. The contract also includes comprehensive renovations to utilities, storm drainage, landscaping and intersection improvements at I-17/7th Avenue and I-17/7th Street to manage increased traffic.