August 29, 2018

Rep. Ruben Gallego Urges Phoenix City Council to Protect the South-Central Light Rail Extension

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) released the following statement:

"Today, the Phoenix City Council will consider redirecting Transportation 2050 revenues to pay for street repairs. While we await details of the proposal, I'm alarmed by the possibility that funds for the South-Central Light Rail extension could be diverted for this purpose.

"At this late stage in the process, any such move would send the wrong message to the Department of Transportation and to an administration hostile to public transit. It could lead directly to the loss of federal funding, imperiling not just this project, but all light rail extensions in the valley.

"Expanding light rail to South-Central Phoenix will transform our city. Residents living along the corridor voted overwhelmingly in favor of bringing light rail to their community and Valley Metro is working hard to mitigate the impact of construction on local businesses. I urge the City Council in the strongest possible terms not to take any action that could kill this critical project."