LIGHT RAIL NEWS
METRO takes Design-Build approach with Central Mesa
light rail extension
July 26, 2011
PHOENIX, AZ — METRO light rail will take advantage
of the competitive market and gain the early insight of a contractor with a
Design-Build delivery method for its 3.1-mile Central Mesa extension.
This decision is a departure from METRO’s typical project delivery
approach of Design-Bid-Build, but it works in favor of advancing a project in
this economy and building it in such a way that is supportive of the local
business community.
“The challenging economy presents us
with an opportunity to think creatively about how we move projects forward,”
said METRO CEO Steve Banta. “A
quality design/builder can help us navigate towards a successful project that
will best serve the neighboring community and the public dollar.
It will also benefit the project’s timeline.”
A strong benefit of the Design-Build approach is
that the construction contractor will come on board early to work directly with
the designer to build plans that are workable for both parties.
Contractor expertise will also help to build a construction schedule that
meets the needs of the agency, project and community.
“The City of Mesa supports the Design-Build option
for the Central Mesa light rail extension,” Mesa Councilmember and METRO Board
Vice Chairman Dennis Kavanaugh said. “It
will advance the schedule and put Arizonans to work.”
The Central Mesa project team is now finalizing
preliminary engineering. These plans
will be delivered to a design/build team for further development in spring 2012.
A Request for Qualifications, to initiate the Design-Build procurement,
has been issued as of Sunday, July 24.
Future project milestones remain intact.
Utility relocation will begin in spring 2012 with the project to be
complete in 2016.
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Central Mesa light rail extension receives environmental
clearance
July, 2011
METRO has received the Finding
of No Significant Impact (or FONSI) from the Federal Transit Administration for
the 3.1-mile Central Mesa light rail extension. This approval comes
following the submittal of the project’s Environmental Assessment, required to
understand the extension’s effect on its neighboring environment and to continue
to compete for federal grant dollars.
"This is another significant step toward implementing the
voter-approved extension of light rail, which is so important to not only Mesa,
but to the entire metro region," said Mesa Mayor Scott Smith.
After more than a year of reviewing potential property,
historic preservation, air quality, noise and vibration, hazardous materials and
other impact areas, the receipt of the FONSI indicates that no significant
environmental effect would occur with the implementation of this project.
“This is good news that took a lot of hard work and
rigorous analysis by METRO working closely with the City of Mesa,” said METRO
CEO Steve Banta. “It also allows us to initiate other key areas of work
including utility relocation and real estate acquisition discussions.”
The Central Mesa extension will travel on Main St. from the
current end-of-line at Sycamore, through downtown Mesa to Mesa Dr. It will
include four stations and a park-and-ride lot. The project is currently in
design. As the design progresses, precise real estate needs will be
determined and discussions with property owners would ensue at that time.
Utility relocation is expected to begin in summer 2012 with the line operational
in 2016.
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Mesa gets federal grants for environmental tests along light rail
extension
June,
2011
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded
the City of Mesa two Brownfields community assessment grants totaling $400,000
for environmental assessments of property along the light rail extension.
Environmental assessments are required before major
construction work begins on the light rail extension along Main Street from
Sycamore to just east of Mesa Drive.
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment involves records research and site
visits. If it is determined that a
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is needed, it involves taking soil
samples to test for potential petroleum contamination and hazardous substances.
The assessments will determine the environmental conditions of property before
it is purchased. Right now,
approximately 40 to 50 properties along the light rail extension have been
identified for partial or full acquisition for the project.
The City will
receive the grant money by October 1 and has two years to use it.
The goal is to expedite the process and complete it in 2012.
A consultant will be hired to conduct the environmental assessments.
For more information, visit
http://www.mesaaz.gov/Sustainability------------------------------------------------------------
Central Mesa Light Rail Extension Public Meeting
May,
2011
Design of the Central Mesa Light Rail Extension are 30 percent
complete. The public is invited to a public meeting to review the design plans,
which include roadway design, public art and station architecture concepts.
Project staff will be available to answer questions.
Thursday, June 9
2011
6 pm - 8 pm
East Valley Institute of Technology
Health and
Sciences Building Auditorium
1601 West Main Street
Mesa, AZ 85201
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Central Mesa extension identified in President’s budget for $38M
February,
2011
The light rail extension into downtown Mesa is recommended to receive
$38 million in fiscal year 2012 according to the President’s budget released
yesterday.
“This is great news for our region,” said METRO CEO Steve Banta.
“It’s a positive indicator that we will receive federal commitment of this
project, allowing us to widen the reach of mass transit in this community.
Transit is an investment worth making now, in this economy, for the economic
prosperity brought by its construction and operations.”
METRO is requesting
a total of $75 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for Central
Mesa; $38 million in FY12 would be an encouraging first installment. Full
funding grant commitment from FTA comes in the form of a Project Construction
Grant Agreement (PCGA) expected in mid-2012.
“This commitment from Washington
is a great sign for the Central Mesa light rail extension. We are thrilled that
our project is in the budget and are hopeful that Congress will agree,” Mesa
Mayor Scott Smith said. “This project will have tremendous impact as a real
economic driver for Mesa. It is the kind of smart investment government should
be making even in these challenging times."
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How to ride the
light rail!
November, 2010
Ever want to ride METRO light rail or a Valley
Metro bus but not sure how?
Valley Metro has teamed with six local bands to
write and record 11 original songs about how to use public transportation as
part of a new community education effort to help Valley residents try
environmentally friendly modes of travel. Participating local bands are: Black
Carl, Captain Squeegee, Elvis Before Noon, Mills End, Peachcake, and What Laura
Says.
Beginning in November 2010, Valley Metro will release the
songs monthly one at a time, which are set to animated video ala “School House
Rock.” The video for “How to Ride Light Rail” is shown here. Go to
ValleyMetro.org/Notes any time of day to see other videos and behind the scenes
footage of the bands recording their songs.
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