FRA Approves Plans for Phoenix-Tucson Passenger Rail Service

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A visual representation of the proposed rail service connecting Phoenix and Tucson, illustrating key locations along the route.

News Summary

The Federal Railroad Administration has approved the Arizona Department of Transportation’s initial plans for a passenger rail service connecting Phoenix and Tucson. This project aims to enhance transportation options and stimulate economic growth across the region. The proposed rail corridor will extend approximately 160 miles, with work on the Service Development Plan expected to start soon following a federal grant approval. Although construction funds are not yet allocated, the initiative shows promise for improving mobility and creating job opportunities in southern Arizona.

Phoenix, Arizona — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has officially approved the initial plans submitted by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for the proposed passenger rail service connecting Phoenix and Tucson. This approval marks a significant milestone in the development of this ambitious transportation project.

The approved submissions encompass the scope, schedule, and budget for creating a Service Development Plan (SDP). The planned passenger rail corridor will stretch approximately 160 miles between Tucson and Buckeye, Arizona. Work on the Service Development Plan is set to commence following the anticipated approval of a federal grant within the next few weeks.

Once the federal grant is secured, the completion of the Service Development Plan is expected to take between two to three years. The budget allotted for this crucial developmental phase is $10.6 million. ADOT had previously utilized a $500,000 federal grant to advance the initial stages of this initiative through the Corridor Identification and Development Program.

State officials have expressed optimism regarding the project. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs highlighted the importance of expanding transportation options, pointing out that this initiative would not only enhance travel between the two cities but also stimulate economic growth in the region. Similarly, ADOT Director Jennifer Toth has noted that the proposed rail service is expected to improve mobility and create job opportunities, particularly in rural areas and communities situated along the route.

As of now, no funds have been allocated for the actual construction of the passenger rail service. Nonetheless, the planning phase will explore various options for funding the construction once the Service Development Plan is finalized. This plan will evaluate critical factors such as potential station locations, necessary infrastructure improvements, ridership forecasts, revenue estimates, number of trips, travel times, and service phasing.

The need for such a rail service has become increasingly apparent as Phoenix continues to hold the distinction of being the largest city in the contiguous United States without a passenger rail system, a situation that has persisted since the 1990s. The proposed project aims to address this gap by providing a much-needed alternative to transportation in southern Arizona.

To ensure the project’s success and facilitate coordination among various stakeholders, an Executive Leadership Team will be established. This team will include representatives from metropolitan planning organizations within Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties. Public input will also be a key component of the planning process, with opportunities for community involvement already being scheduled.

Completing the Service Development Plan is essential for ADOT to move forward to the next phase, which involves conducting a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) engineering and environmental study. This step is also expected to take an additional two to three years and will require a 20% state match for federal grants to move forward.

This initiative represents a transformative step for Arizona’s transportation landscape, showing clear progress towards modernizing and expanding public transportation options in the state. As work begins on the next phases, stakeholders and the public alike will look forward to further developments in the coming years.