Project Profile: Northwest Light Rail Extension Phase II

The Northwest Light Rail Extension Phase II is a critical infrastructure enhancement for Phoenix’s Valley Metro Rail system, extending service 2.6km (1.6 miles) to the redeveloped Metrocenter area. This profile details the project’s key engineering feats, including the system’s first elevated station and a dedicated rail bridge over the I-17 freeway, significantly improving regional mobility and anchoring transit-oriented development.

Technical Specifications

The 2.6 km extension originates at the previous terminus at 19th Avenue and Dunlap Avenue, proceeding west along Dunlap Avenue, turning north on 25th Avenue, and then west again on Mountain View Road before reaching its terminus at the Metrocenter Transit Center. A defining feature of this phase is the 1.6 km (1 mile) elevated track segment, the first on the Valley Metro system. This required the construction of a dedicated rail-only bridge spanning the I-17 freeway, a major engineering undertaking designed to minimize disruption to one of the region’s busiest transport corridors.

The project added two new stations: a street-level station at 25th Avenue/Dunlap and the elevated Metrocenter Station. The terminus station is fully integrated into a new, multi-modal transit center featuring a four-story park-and-ride structure with 260 spaces. Extensive utility relocation was a critical prerequisite for construction, involving complex coordination for gas, water, sewer, electrical, and fiber optic lines. The extension operates on the same standard gauge track and 750V DC overhead catenary power system as the existing Valley Metro network, ensuring seamless integration of rolling stock and signaling systems.

Key Takeaways

• Enhanced Regional Connectivity: Directly links Phoenix’s northwest corridor, Glendale, and Peoria with key destinations including Downtown Phoenix, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and Arizona State University.
• Catalyst for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): The extension acts as a strategic anchor for the large-scale redevelopment of the former Metrocenter Mall site, stimulating economic growth and promoting higher-density, mixed-use development.
• Pioneering Engineering Solution: Introduces elevated guideways and a major freeway overpass to the Valley Metro network, establishing a new design precedent for future expansions in complex urban environments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When did the Northwest Light Rail Extension Phase II open?

The Northwest Light Rail Extension Phase II officially opened for public service on January 27, 2024. It now provides regular daily service connecting the Metrocenter area with the rest of the Valley Metro Rail network.

Who built the Northwest Light Rail Extension Phase II?

The project was constructed by a joint venture of Kiewit-McCarthy, with the design led by Jacobs Engineering. The overall project is owned and operated by Valley Metro, the regional public transportation authority for the Phoenix metropolitan area.