Commuter Rail Considered As Traffic Grows

The Phoenix Business Journal reports that West Valley officials are interested in talking with Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad about adding commuter rail cars to reduce traffic and air pollution.

Maricopa Association of Governments plans to begin discussions about commuter rail with mayors, transit planners and others in the West Valley. They are preparing a study that will include recommendations on what mix of light rail and commuter rail would best fit our community's needs over the next 20 to 30 years.

Burlington Norther Santa Fe has a track along Grand Avenue that could be part of the commuter rail system. Union Pacific has tracks in the Southwest Valley. Commuter rail studies in the Valley have been completed periodically.

The concept is gaining support because the region's continued growth is straining the transportation system and contributing to the Valley's air pollution. More...