PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council voted to go through with the South Central Light Rail Extension on Wednesday, 6-2.
The plan is to extend light rail through south Phoenix along Central Avenue from downtown to Baseline Road, making the light rail route 5.5 miles longer.
Those in favor of the project say the light rail will create more jobs and improve the economy in south Phoenix along with offering residents more access to public transportation.
Those who oppose the expansion say the light rail will hurt south Phoenix because the plan includes knocking the four-lane corridor down to two lanes in some areas. The also say the money for the light rail should be used to improve the existing city bus system.
The Federal Transit Administration has allocated $595 million in federal funding for the project.
Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams said the vote reaffirms the city council's commitment to south Phoenix.
“Expanding light rail not only improves transportation infrastructure and mobility options, it also connects neighborhoods to opportunity and spurs economic development," Williams said. "I look forward to moving forward with the next phase of the project to bring light rail to south Phoenix.”