Type Streetcar Stations 14 | System Valley Metro Rail Services 2 | |
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Locale Tempe, Arizona, United States Termini Marina Heights
Dorsey Lane | ||
Tempe Streetcar is a future extension of Phoenix, Arizona's Valley Metro Rail system that is proposed to begin construction in 2017, with a projected completion in 2019. When completed, it will link various parts of the city's downtown, as well as the Tempe campus of Arizona State University.
Contents
Background
Tempe Streetcar will consist of 14 stations, running from Dorsey Lane east on Apache Boulevard, then north on Mill Avenue. From there, it will loop around Downtown Tempe along Mill and Ash avenues. The route continues along Rio Salado Parkway to Marina Heights, with a possible extension to Mesa to connect with the Chicago Cubs' new spring training facility, as well as Tempe Marketplace and future development along Rio Salado. Once completed, a transfer from light rail to the streetcar at the 3rd Street station will permit travel to Gammage Memorial Auditorium at Arizona State University to the south and the Hayden Ferry and Marina Heights office complexes to the north.
Construction will cost between $175 and $190 million and will be funded using the Proposition 400 sales tax and federal grants. In February 2016, the project was identified in President Barack Obama's budget for Fiscal Year 2017. A total of $75 million was dedicated to the project and would supplement the Proposition 400 funds, as well as local funds and other federal grant funds.
Rolling stock
In 2011, Kinki Sharyo offered a demonstration model of its ameriTRAM vehicle, to allow members of the public to provide feedback on the vehicle.
Valley Metro will issue an RFP to obtain vehicles for this route in the summer of 2016, potential suppliers include Alstom, Bombardier, CAF USA, Kinki Sharyo, Siemens or TIG/m. Depending on the final design of the system, as well as availability of funding, vehicles for this line may operate on a combination of battery power, overhead catenary wires or on-board hydrogen fuel system.
Design
In December 2016, Valley Metro selected Stantec Consulting Services for design work to be completed in 2017, allowing construction to start later in the year. Stantec has designed other streetcar projects in the United States and contributed to the design of the Valley Metro light rail system.