Tempe Streetcar

The Tempe Streetcar, referred to as the Streetcar Line on regional transit maps, is a streetcar extension of Phoenix's Valley Metro Rail system. Construction began in 2017,[2] and the line opened for service on May 20, 2022.[1] It serves 14 stops across three miles of track serving various parts of the city's downtown, as well as the Tempe campus of Arizona State University, with the Valley Metro Rail main line.[3][4][5]

Streetcar Line
Overview
StatusOperating
OwnerCity of Tempe
LocaleTempe, Arizona, United States
Stations14
Websitewww.tempe.gov/streetcar
Service
TypeStreetcar
SystemValley Metro Rail
Services1
Operator(s)Valley Metro
Rolling stock6 Brookville Liberty Modern Streetcars
History
OpenedMay 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)[1]
Technical
Line length3 mi (4.8 km)
Number of tracks2
CharacterStreetcar in mixed traffic
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line, 750 V DC + battery
Route map

 Marina Heights / Rio Salado
 Hayden Ferry / Rio Salado
 Tempe Beach Park / Rio Salado
Valley Metro Rail
to 19th Avenue/Dunlap
 Mill Avenue/Third Street
 5th Street | 6th Street
 University Dr / Ash
 9th St / Mill
 11th St / Mill
 College Ave / Apache
| Tempe TC
 Paseo del Saber / Apache
 Rural / Apache
| University
Dorsey/Apache Boulevard
Valley Metro Rail
to Gilbert Road/Main Street
Handicapped/disabled access all stations accessible

Background

The Tempe Streetcar is a joint project between Valley Metro and the City of Tempe Public Works Department and consists of 14 stops, running from Dorsey Lane west on Apache Boulevard, then north on Mill Avenue.[6] From there, it loops around Downtown Tempe along Mill and Ash avenues.[7] The route continues along Rio Salado Parkway to Marina Heights, with possible extensions into the city of Mesa under consideration and evaluation. A transfer from light rail to the streetcar at the 3rd Street station permits 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 cost approximately $200 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.[8] The final 2017 budget, approved in May 2017 under President Donald Trump, included $50 million.[9]

History

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.[10] In May 2018, the design was finalized.

The streetcar was designed to be able to travel on the light rail line and to use those tracks to travel to the Operations & Maintenance Center.

Construction

Construction began on June 1, 2017, with utility relocation, which made way for tracks to be laid.[11][12] In August 2018, Valley Metro received approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to begin the initial phase of significant construction on the Tempe Streetcar. With this approval, Valley Metro began work this fall on building the system's rail trackway, power systems and street improvements.[13]

The line opened for service on May 20, 2022.[1][14]

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.[15]

Valley Metro issued an RFP (request for proposals) to obtain vehicles for this route in the summer of 2016.[16] Potential suppliers originally included Alstom, Bombardier, CAF USA, Kinki Sharyo, Siemens and TIG/m. Vehicle options for this line included a combination of battery power, overhead catenary or on-board hydrogen fuel system.[17][18]

Brookville Equipment Corporation was awarded the $33 million contract for six Liberty Streetcars in 2017.[19] The first streetcar vehicle was delivered on March 14, 2021.

Stations

The Tempe Streetcar has a total of 14 stops.[20][21]

9th Street/Mill Avenue station platform
Station[20][21] ↓ ↑ Layout[20][21] Notes
Marina Heights/Rio Salado Parkway ● ● 2 tracks, island platform, center of street Northern terminus
Hayden Ferry/Rio Salado Parkway ● ● 1 track, island platform, center of street
Tempe Beach Park/Rio Salado Parkway ● 1 track, side platform, center of street
3rd Street/Mill Avenue ● 1 track, side platform, curbside lane Connect to Valley Metro Rail at Mill Avenue/Third Street
3rd Street/Ash Avenue ● 1 track, side platform, curbside lane Connect to Valley Metro Rail at Mill Avenue/Third Street
5th Street/Ash Avenue ● 1 track, side platform, curbside lane
6th Street/Mill Avenue ● 1 track, side platform, curbside lane
University Drive/Ash Avenue ● 1 track, side platform, curbside lane
9th Street/Mill Avenue ● ● 2 tracks, island platform, center of street
11th Street/Mill Avenue ● ● 2 tracks, island platform, center of street
College Avenue/Apache Boulevard ● ● 2 tracks, island platform, center of street
Paseo del Saber/Apache Boulevard ● ● 2 tracks, island platform, center of street
Rural Rd/Apache Blvd ● ● 2 tracks, island platform, center of street
Dorsey/Apache Boulevard ● ● 1 track, side platform, center of street Southern terminus, connect to Valley Metro Rail

See also

References
  1. "Tempe streetcar service launches with free rides to be provided for first year". KTAR-FM. May 20, 2022. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. Jones, Vaughan (September 26, 2021). "Valley Metro Delays Tempe Streetcar Launch Until Spring 2022". KJZZ. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  3. Náñez, Dianna (November 28, 2014). "Tempe streetcar on track, could cost $200 million". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  4. Coppola, Chris (February 10, 2016). "Obama's budget includes $75 million for Tempe streetcar". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  5. Sackley, Mike (February 10, 2016). "President Obama designates $75 million to Tempe streetcar project". WTAR. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  6. "Tempe Streetcar" (PDF). Valley Metro. December 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  7. "Text Only Options". Valley Metro. Archived from the original on September 12, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  8. "Significant Milestone for Tempe Streetcar | Valley Metro | Press Releases". Valley Metro. February 9, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  9. "Valley Metro to break ground on Tempe Streetcar in June". Progressive Railroading. May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  10. "Designer selected for Tempe streetcar; project expected to be completed in 2020". KTAR News. December 17, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  11. "Tempe Streetcar". Valley Metro. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  12. "Construction on $177 Million Tempe Streetcar Set for Summer". U.S. News. Associated Press. April 30, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  13. "Tempe Streetcar | Valley Metro". www.valleymetro.org. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  14. Cló, Renata (May 20, 2022). "Welcome aboard: Tempe's streetcar opens with free passenger fare". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  15. Náñez, Dianna M. (September 20, 2011). "Streetcar misconceptions addressed at Tempe forum". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  16. Jay Toll, Eric (March 29, 2016). "Amid audits, investigations and 7 rail extensions, Valley Metro's Scott Smith is an interim CEO on a mission". Phoenix Business Journal. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  17. "City of Tempe - Transportation Commission Packet". City of Tempe. May 12, 2015. pp. 18, 22, 24, 26. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  18. Goth, Brenna (February 9, 2016). "South Phoenix light rail on fast track, to come a decade early". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  19. "Brookville Contracted to Design, Build Six Off-Wire Capable Liberty Streetcar Vehicles for Valley Metro". Mass Transit. Brookville Equipment Corporation. June 19, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  20. Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Valley Metro (July 2015). "Environmental Assessment, Tempe Streetcar" (PDF). Retrieved April 7, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. "Appendix A: Conceptual Engineering Drawings" (PDF). Valley Metro. May 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
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