PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council voted to end the Capitol light rail extension project that would have connected downtown Phoenix to the state Capitol, instead choosing to focus on planning a new west Phoenix corridor along Indian School Road.
The 7-2 decision Tuesday night comes after fierce political opposition from Republican state lawmakers who called the project too expensive. Republican Senate President Warren Petersen argued light rail serves too few people and costs too much.
Residents spoke for hours at Tuesday night's city council meeting, making arguments both for and against moving forward with the project.
Mayor Kate Gallego shared the following statement with ABC15:
“We’ve seen it again and again – when light rail expands, communities benefit with better access to jobs, education, housing, and more parts of our city,” Mayor Gallego said. “Last night, the City Council and I voted to keep the dream alive and connect light rail to the West Valley. Light rail expansion has been, and will continue to be, a key priority for me.”
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Republican state legislators have introduced bills aimed at stopping the project. One Senate bill would bar construction within several blocks of the State Capitol.
If the bill becomes law, it could have prevented the three proposed Capitol extension rail alignment options from being built. Another bill, sponsored by Arizona Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh, involves studying alternative transit options.
"We have autonomous electric buses, autonomous electric cars, which could be purchased far cheaper than laying and buying light rail trains," Kavanagh said.
Last month, the city's transportation subcommittee recommended re-evaluating the westward expansion plans after reviewing the legislators' opposition.
Governor Katie Hobbs' office also weighed in, with her budget director writing to Phoenix City Council members urging them not to fear "prohibitive" state legislation. The letter noted the CapEx would likely generate a $4 billion economic impact, create thousands of jobs, and support affordable housing development.
