Getting There: ValleyMetro expands E.V. routes

Because of sky-high gas prices, mass transit is turning into the way to go for many commuters. Now, ValleyMetro has good news with the expansion of routes serving the East Valley.

The changes to Routes 61, 65, 96, 511 and 535 go into effect the morning of July 26.

Click to view a map road work in the Valley

• Route 61, Southern Avenue/43rd Avenue to Superstition Springs Mall — Service will be offered seven days a week.

• Route 65, Mill/Kyrene — Service will be extended to the Chandler Aquatic Center.

• Route 96, Dobson Road/Mesa Riverview to Chandler — Service will be offered seven days a week, and the route now extends from Riverview Drive to the Snedigar Sports Complex (Basha and Ocotillo roads).

• Route 511, Chandler-Scottsdale Airpark express — Morning and afternoon trips now travel in both directions; northbound trips will begin at Arizona Avenue and Chicago Street until the opening of the Chandler regional park-and-ride (Hamilton Street and Germann Road); stops include the ASU Research Park, Scottsdale Community College and Scottsdale’s planned transit center near the Mustang Library.

• Route 535, Red Mountain express/Mesa to downtown Phoenix — Service on weekdays only; two inbound morning trips begin at the Power Road and McDowell Road park-and-ride; one outbound morning trip begins at Gilbert and McKellips roads; outbound afternoon trips are the reverse of the morning routes.

For a complete list of schedule changes, visit ValleyMetro.org.

CHANDLER SEEKS INPUT ON OCOTILLO ROAD WORK

Chandler wants to hear from residents about proposed improvements to Ocotillo Road between Arizona Avenue and McQueen Road.

A meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Program Room of the Hamilton Branch Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave.

City planners want to widen Ocotillo to a four-lane street, as well as construct bike lanes, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, street lighting, storm drainage and landscaping. Utilities also would be relocated.

In addition, existing sewer lines will be repaired, new potable and reclaimed water mains will be constructed, and laterals for sewer and water will be provided to all undeveloped land parcels.

Construction is slated to begin in late 2009 or early 2010.

For information about the project or the upcoming public meeting, call (480) 782-3301.

PARTY TO CELEBRATE LOOP 202 COMPLETION

If a hula hoop contest doesn’t get you excited for the opening of the final stretch of Loop 202 does anything?

OK. Maybe a faster route through the East Valley does just fine.

The final stretch of Loop 202’s Red Mountain Freeway from Power Road to University Drive in Mesa will officially open next week.

To celebrate, the Arizona Department of Transportation is hosting a party on the new stretch of freeway from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, complete with a 5K bike and run, speeches by local and state leaders, and yes, a hula hoop contest.

Gov. Janet Napolitano will be on hand for the ribbon-cutting at 6 p.m.

For those especially moved by the new route, ADOT will set up a video interview booth so people can express how much the Loop 202 opening means to them.

Plans for the freeway date back to 1985 when voters approved Proposition 300, a half-cent sales tax increase to fund regional transportation projects including Loop 202. The Santan Freeway also is part of Loop 202.

Construction on the freeway’s final stretch began in 2004.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS

• Germann Road will be closed until Aug. 1 from Higley to Greenfield roads so crews can complete roadwork .

• A road-widening project will continue to keep Queen Creek Road closed from Arizona Avenue to McQueen Road through Sept. 28.

• Traffic will continue to be restricted on Ocotillo Road from Hawes to Ellsworth Loop roads as crews work to widen the road.

• Work to complete the paving operations on Chandler Heights and Hawes roads should begin next week. Traffic restrictions and reduced speed limits will remain in place until the paving has been completed and new pavement markings have been installed.

• Cloud Road will remain closed from Sossaman to Power roads for sewer line installation. Drivers should use Chandler Heights Road or Sossaman Road as there will be no access to Power Road.

• Restrictions will be in place on Ellsworth Road from Queen Creek to Germann roads as crews widen the road. The southbound right lane will be closed and speed limits reduced to 25 mph.