The City of Phoenix and Valley Metro Rail will soon expand into south Phoenix with the opening of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub (SCE/DH) light rail project on Saturday, June 7, 2025. A ribbon cutting and community celebration filled with local culture and excitement is being planned for that day to commemorate the milestone.
“It’s a big day for Phoenix as we celebrate the upcoming opening of the South Central light rail extension. This fresh segment of our transit system will connect thousands of residents to jobs, health care, and social opportunities in downtown and beyond. A reality in 2025 instead of the originally planned 2034 opening date, the South Central extension also brings with it new and improved public infrastructure—from great bike lanes and additional shade structures to beautiful artwork along the corridor. I am looking forward to officially cutting the ribbon and marking this momentous occasion with our incredible community,” Mayor Kate Gallego said.
The 5.5-mile extension will operate between downtown Phoenix along Central and 1st avenues, continuing south to Baseline Road. The expansion will also introduce a two-line rail system intersecting at the new transit hub in downtown Phoenix:
- A Line: Operating between Gilbert Road/Main Street in Mesa and the Downtown Hub
- B Line: Operating between Metro Parkway in northwest Phoenix and Baseline Road/Central Avenue
- The Downtown Hub consists of four platforms on Washington, Jefferson, Central and 1st avenues where riders will transfer between the A and B lines
Selected as a priority corridor after a comprehensive analysis, the SCE/DH light rail expansion addresses critical transportation needs in an area where 44% of residents have limited or no access to personal vehicles. The extension connects historically underserved communities to regional destinations, including downtown Phoenix, the airport area, educational institutions and key employment centers. The new extension is expected to add more than 8,000 daily riders to the light rail system, which currently serves approximately 35,000 boardings per day.
This expansion also introduces modern infrastructure improvements including 18 community-driven public art installations created by artists who are predominantly local.
Other project features include:
- Eight new stations
- 14 new trains
- 110-space park-and-ride facility at Baseline Road/Central Avenue
- Enhanced bike lanes and pedestrian pathways
- Over 550 new trees and desert-adapted landscaping providing much-needed shade
- Comprehensive utility upgrades, replacing more than 30 miles of underground infrastructure
With federal grants covering more than half the project's $1.34 billion budget, additional funding sources include Phoenix Transportation 2050 and regional Proposition 400 funds.
The project has created significant local employment opportunities and workforce development initiatives throughout construction. Valley Metro and the City of Phoenix, alongside construction contractor Kiewit, implemented targeted workforce development initiatives creating lasting economic benefits for the local community. Through these initiatives, the project employed over 5,000 local workers, with south Phoenix residents contributing more than 470,000 work hours, ensuring economic opportunities directly benefitting the communities along the route. These comprehensive programs, ranging from youth STEM engagement to craft workforce development, have established a skilled worker pipeline that will continue strengthening the regional economy well beyond project completion.
Valley Metro Rail continues to drive economic growth throughout the region, having attracted more than $17.5 billion in public and private investment development since service began in 2008. Future economic development in the area will be guided by the South Central Transit-Oriented Development Community Plan, developed with extensive community input and approved by Phoenix City Council in spring 2022.
For more information about the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub project, visit valleymetro.org/southcentral. To learn more about the opening celebration and how to be a part, stay connected with our social channels or join our email distribution list.
Project b-roll can be found here. Project photos can be found here.
About T2050: About Transportation 2050: In August 2015, Phoenix voters approved Transportation 2050 (T2050), a 35-year citywide transportation plan. T2050 is overseen by the Citizens Transportation Commission and includes improved frequency on local bus service, new light rail service and stations and major street improvement projects. Funding for T2050 comes from a 7/10ths of a cent city sales tax that started Jan. 1, 2016. Over the life of the plan, the funds are estimated to generate about $16.7 billion, or more than half of the plan's overall cost. There will be an additional $14.8 billion in federal and county funds, passenger fares and other sources. For more information, visit the T2050 page or follow Phoenix Public Transit, Phoenix Street Transportation and Valley Metro on X.
About Valley Metro: Located in the fastest-growing county in the U.S., Valley Metro connects people to their most important destinations each day. Riders travel across the metro-Phoenix area on eco-friendly public transit including bus, light rail, paratransit and streetcar. Progress continues on additional high-capacity transit extensions that are either in planning or under construction to create a 50-mile rail system by 2030. Valley Metro also offers alternative transportation programs including paratransit services for seniors and people with disabilities, commuter vanpools, online carpool matching, bus trip mapping, bicycle safety and telework assistance. Two Boards of Directors from 19 local cities and towns and the county set the policy direction for the agency with the intent of advancing the regional public transit system in Maricopa County. In addition to federal and local funds, Valley Metro receives critical capital, bus and paratransit operations funds from Prop. 400, the 20-year, regional half-cent transportation sales tax. Voters continued the 20-year regional funding support for transit with the passage of Prop. 479 in 2024. Stay up-to-date by following us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X or by visiting valleymetro.org and downloading the Valley Metro app.
