PHOENIX — Metro Phoenix will celebrate another major transportation milestone this weekend with the launch of Valley Metro’s new South Central Extension light rail line.
The 5.5-mile route connects the new Downtown Hub in central Phoenix to Baseline Road in south Phoenix and is scheduled to begin service at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The debut follows the recent completion of the massive I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project, capping a significant week for Valley transit development.
Festivities will begin with a parade at 7:45 a.m., traveling from the Ed Pastor Transit Center to the new Baseline/Central park-and-ride lot. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 9:15 a.m., with additional celebrations at various stops along the line running until noon.
The opening of the South Central Extension coincides with a broader reconfiguration of the Valley’s light rail system into two main lines: the east-west A Line from Mesa to downtown Phoenix, and the north-south B Line, which includes the new extension and continues north to the Metro Parkway station.
To enhance convenience, Valley Metro is increasing weekday train frequency, with 12-minute intervals until 7 p.m., and 15-minute service on the Tempe Streetcar.
The new Downtown Hub is located near major downtown destinations such as the Phoenix Symphony and sports venues, offering improved access for both residents and visitors.
Planning for the South Central Extension began in 2012, with construction starting in 2019. The $1.34 billion project features eight stations, 14 new trains, and a 110-space parking facility. More than half the funding came from federal grants.
The extension is expected to improve transit access for neighborhoods with limited car ownership and support economic development, including new housing along the route.
Earlier this week, officials marked the completion of the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project — the largest freeway reconstruction effort in Arizona’s history. The upgraded corridor now includes 16 lanes and improved business access, enhancing commutes between Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, and surrounding areas.
