lightrailblogger: the mission
Posted on 07. Dec, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
I signed up for a cool new site called Livable Streets. It reminds me of Facebook, but geared toward people wanting a better way of living for their community, mixed in with transportation news of the day, and sprinkled with some bike or light rail hot topics. Love it.
Reading the posts on LSN made me [...]
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There’s hope for Phoenix
Posted on 06. Dec, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Did y'all see the NYTimes story on President-elect Obama? According to reporters Peter Baker and John Broder, Obama committed to the largest public works construction program in 50 years.
Obama would focus on rebuilding America with a list of projects, one if them being mass transit.
How does this affect Phoenix? Does this mean Mayor Gordon [...]
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“If METRO were running, how would I….”
Posted on 05. Dec, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Mapping out my common routes on METRO light rail in Phoenix before debut
Friend and artist Kyle Jordre unveiled his latest work Thursday night in Downtown Phoenix at an event sponsored by kontakt magazine.
The pieces are beautiful (my photography sucks), the crowd was having fun, and the party had the look of success. Kyle is known [...]
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Oh no she didn’t!
Posted on 02. Dec, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Yep, she did.
A 78 year old woman in a four door sedan and a METRO light rail vehicle collided earlier today.
This is a big deal because it’s the first, and METRO doesn’t even start service for another three weeks.
First, thank GAWD no one was seriously injured.
Second, this is NOT out of the ordinary for any [...]
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Tempe+METRO=Green
Posted on 02. Dec, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
The valley of the sun may not be the greenest area according to SustainLane, but it's definitely better than 32nd!
(I know, I know…we're H2O challenged)
Case in point, these steel caged recycled glass rocks (above) form a railing outside the new $24.5 million Tempe Transit Center.
This is just one feature. The building is LEED certified. Find [...]
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Oh, Christmas tree.
Posted on 30. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Apparently the economy is so bad (or I'm so blind) that no one is selling Christmas trees in the Central Phoenix area. I could not find a lot anywhere.
Could lot operators from years past be so concerned no one is in the market for a tree, that they've decided to pull out of the [...]
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The lights are on
Posted on 30. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
METRO flipped the switch at 3rd Ave and Osborn in Phoenix.
I've been waiting for crews to turn on the lights at my stop for what seemed like an eternity. I would drive by and see all the other rail stops with lights on, some changed colors, mine were off.
Now, there's life at my light [...]
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METRO light rail in Phoenix runs the gamut
Posted on 27. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Whoa! Did y’all see Glen Creno’s story on azcentral.com ”Valley residents remain split over cost, effects of light rail“???
Hopefully people will see the good in light rail come Dec. 27th.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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iPhone update: home and back?
Posted on 26. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
I’m packing a bag and getting the gang ready for my trip home for Thanksgiving.
Can you believe there’s no way for me to get back to PHX Thursday night…except by car????
No flights…and when I say no flights, I’m not talkin’ “flights are booked solid” – there are NO flights leaving SoCal on Thursday night. [...]
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UPDATE: METRO pedestrian skypass at Sky Harbor
Posted on 25. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
More information today from Sky Harbor Airport regarding the new pedestrian bridge at 44th Street and Washington in Phoenix.
Turns out, the structure will link METRO passengers to the new Sky Harbor train that will connect people to all four terminals and the rental car return. The train won’t be up and running until 2013.
Until then… [...]
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More METRO light rail surprises in Phoenix
Posted on 24. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Check this out. Easy access from the METRO light rail stop at 44th St. and Washington in Phoenix to Sky Harbor shuttles across the street.
I feel like I’ve been living under a rock for not noticing this sooner! I swear, I just drove by the airport the other day, and didn’t notice this project.
Apparently METRO [...]
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Downtown Phoenix boogies to “March of the Metro”
Posted on 22. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Downtown Phoenix is looking GREAT!
I drove around looking for a particular METRO stop, and instead stumbled upon the new addition to the Phoenix Convention Center.
WOW! Very nice. This is the North building expansion which should open for business in the next couple of months.
Here’s a look at the North and West buildings together, both part [...]
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Sign me up! METRO shows off new signs in Midtown Phoenix
Posted on 20. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
The signs are there..
No really, the signs are there.
METRO peeps showing off new signage at light rail stops near points of interest, like the one above at the Encanto and Central platform in Midtown Phoenix.
The sign above, points to which side of the platform the departing train is heading. I think METRO should’ve added “Avenue” [...]
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Phoenix: Barcelona’s sister city?
Posted on 19. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Looks like Valley Metro may have turned to Spain for design inspiration.
I’ve been meaning to take the picture below for a couple of days. I know it’s hard to make out, but take a look at the design feature in the center.
This public art display is at the new park and ride on the southeast [...]
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Finishing touches
Posted on 18. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Metro crews were hard at work along Camelback near 7th Ave in Phoenix. The 20 mile line cost $1.4 billion (money generated from sales taxes and federal grant money) to construct. Metro will debut the sleek LRV’s to passengers on December 27th.
