les Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Actually, ADOT was seeking public comment on the
> study as recently as last year, so the concept is
> fresh on their minds.
>

ADOT actually sent out a message in the past month or two and are taking input on it again (still?). I believe that there were more public meetings scheduled.

The huge issue is that there is no one "central" location in Phoenix to work with, in terms of origin and destination. As it stands right now, Tempe would be a MUCH better location for the "main" Phoenix area station, as there is more going on there, more employment, more activities and events, and of course the University. Downtown Phoenix, and it is finally showing signs of life, albeit just far enough away from the current Union Station to not be helpful. Should the City of Phoenix stop their downtown urban renewal currently going north and east, and focus on going a bit south and east to make rail more attractive?

ADOT, and other agencies (the Cities and Towns, Valley Metro, the Airport, etc) will really need to start to coordinate on how to make this happen, if the desire is really there. The airport "train trench" needs to be worked into this now, or we will end up with a single track trench, where double track may in fact be needed for heavy rail passenger service? Valley Metro needs to revise their system from the giant grid, to something that could actually get people to the commuter rail, or even light rail quickly, with a vast expansion of Express service.

Red state, blue state, Koch money or Soros money, if you have a large price tag, you need to convince people that it will actually be good for them, and not just another expensive boondoggle. Do you stop short with just Phoenix to Tucson, or do you add in northwest to Wickenberg, west toward Palo Verdi (or even Yuma on the old passenger main), do you plan in for the eventual growth to the southeast valley and tie in say, Superior? Would you rebuild the Tempe Branch as it was at the turn of the last century, and take it out to Maricopa and add in all of that growth down there?