Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Sky Train nears completion of first phase

PHOENIX - It won't happen in time for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but flying out of the Valley will get a littler easier.

Tuesday morning an ABC15 crew got a first-hand look at the new Sky Train at the 44th Street Station.

Eventually it will connect passengers to all terminals, but the first stage reaches to the East Economy parking lot and Terminal Four.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who gave the tour, said it will be up and running sometime early next year.

He compared the 44th Street Station to an airport terminal that's off airport property.

He said people will be able to drop off and pick up at the station, rather than driving to the airport.

Travelers using the light rail will get off at the 44th and Washington streets stop.

A sky walk will take them to the station where they can check bags and print out boarding passes.

From there, they will head up to the Sky Train.

The mayor said trains will arrive about every three minutes and will run seven days a week, all hours of the day.

He said each car will hold about 50 people.

It will take three minutes to get to the East Economy parking lot and two more minutes to get to Terminal Four.

The city expects 2.5 million travelers in the first year alone.

Stanton said the total cost comes to nearly $1.6 billion and will be paid for by airport revenues and passenger fees.