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.
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Don’t miss that party train
Posted on 16. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Word is spreading about the launch of the light rail in Phoenix on December 27th, and it sounds like one big tri-city PARTY in the valley of the sun.
The folks over at RailLife.com received a news release about all the activities.
Each station will have something unique to offer from food, music, even street dancers. [...]
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Watch your back, stay off the track!
Posted on 14. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
There’s a winner in the “Name that Slogan” contest. According to AZcentral.com, the winning slogan is “Watch your back, stay off the track” by Ann Shannon of Scottsdale.
Congrats, Ann! Ann gets a year pass on the light rail, but apparently she will give it to charity. She lives in Scottsdale, so I’m [...]
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Side by side: living with light rail in Phoenix
Posted on 13. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Light rail activity and excitement is building around the ‘hood in Central Phoenix…
While a new website aims to find people jobs within walking distance of light rail stops, Metro met with west valley residents, looking to possibly extend the line west on I-10.
And if that’s not enough for one day, I found a post on [...]
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Phoenix light rail: functional and fashionable
Posted on 12. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
Just got back in from running errands, and of course, I had to drive by the line on Central Ave in Phoenix to see what was up with the Metro light rail.
Lots of activity around lunchtime! Two LRV’s (light rail vehicles) were connected at a time…testing the tracks and getting lunchtime commuters used to [...]
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Night rider: Phoenix light rail test at Os and Central
Posted on 11. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga.
I was out walking the gang tonight, and felt like I was in a metropolis worthy of being ranked fifth largest in the country.
I heard the horn of an approaching Metro light rail train, got out my iPhone, and with one hand tried to snap a picture, and control three dogs sniffin’ an old Sonic [...]
