PHOENIX – On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced in a tweet that Valley Metro will get funding for 9 new light rail stations.
Very exciting news for the Phoenix area—@USDOT is committing $100M to @valleymetro for a 5.5-mile light rail system with 9 new stations connecting underserved areas to churches, emergency services, and more!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2020
Governor Doug Ducey said the message was a good thing, “if we’ve got federal dollars coming to help grow the state and transportation infrastructure.”
This project will improve connectivity for workers, students and all travelers across the region. It spans Opportunity Zones and is creating hundreds of jobs already. Thank you @realDonaldTrump @USDOT @FTA_DOT for great news during this challenging time. https://t.co/UpkGAMGMOG
— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) May 29, 2020
In August, City of Phoenix voters had the opportunity to vote on two City propositions related to light rail and pensions. Voters defeated an initiative that would have ended all light rail construction, prohibited future rail investment and returned billions in federal dollars previously pledged to expand the regional transit system.