South Central Extension Hits Delays
Supply chain bottlenecks and utility relocation complexities push the highly anticipated light rail completion to late 2025.
The 5.5-mile South Central Extension/Downtown Hub project was supposed to be running test trains by now. Instead, businesses along Central Avenue south of Washington Street are bracing for another year of orange cones and restricted access.
The Root Causes
Valley Metro cites two primary culprits for the revised timeline. First, the procurement of specialized traction power substations (the electrical heart of the rail system) has been severely delayed due to global copper shortages and manufacturing backlogs. Second, the relocation of century-old unmapped utilities beneath Central Avenue proved vastly more complex than engineering surveys indicated.
| Project Phase | Original Target | Revised Target |
|---|---|---|
| Utility Relocation | Q4 2022 | Q2 2024 (Ongoing) |
| Track Installation | Q3 2023 | Q1 2025 |
| Revenue Service Launch | Mid 2024 | Late 2025 |
Economic Fallout for South Phoenix
The delay is brutal for small businesses along the corridor. While Valley Metro’s Small Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP) has disbursed over $2 million, many retailers report revenues are down 40% due to constrained parking and shifting traffic patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does this impact the Northwest Extension?
- No. The Phase II extension to the Metrocenter area successfully opened in January 2024.
- Are federal funds at risk?
- Currently, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the revised timeline, ensuring the $530 million federal grant remains intact.