Getting There: At last! Valley’s freeway system is rolling

Before reading this column, first read the Tribune’s package of stories on the opening of the last segment of Loop 202’s Red Mountain Freeway. Also, be sure to check out the interactive graphics.

Click to view a map of road work in the Valley

I’ll admit to a sense of relief now that the freeway is opening. To a longtime Valley resident like myself, it’s always been a source of annoyance to have a freeway system that was at first nonexistent, then woefully inadequate and, finally, incomplete.

Until this morning.

There was a benefit to all the delays in construction, in that now we have one of the most modern highway networks in the nation.

Other cities’ roads are showing their age, and I hold forth Los Angeles as an example. The freeways there are cramped, crowded and cracking. Or look at Orlando, Fla., a booming Sun Belt city like the Valley. Interstate 4 there is a clogged mess, and the other roads cost money in tolls.

So, when the rubber meets the road today, I’ll rejoice quietly before starting the countdown until light rail opens.

Dec. 26 is 159 days away.

ORBIT TO ASU GAMES

Sun Devil football — it’ll send you into Orbit!

No, not much of a slogan, but Tempe transportation officials hope Arizona State fans will listen anyway.

The city is extending the hours of its Orbit neighborhood bus circulators for the coming season’s seven home games.

All four Orbit routes now will run until midnight on Aug. 30 (Northern Arizona), Sept. 6 (Stanford), Sept. 13 (UNLV), Sept. 20 (Georgia), Oct. 25 (Oregon), Nov. 15 (Washington State) and Nov. 28 (UCLA).

Residents who do not live along an Orbit route are encouraged to park at the Tempe Library Complex at the southwest corner of Southern Avenue and Rural Road, and take Orbit Jupiter to the game.

For more information, call (480) 858-2350 or visit www.tempe.gov/tim.

GILBERT BUS RIDERSHIP ON THE RISE

Did you know people boarded Gilbert buses more than 120,000 times during the past year? It was a 74 percent increase compared to the year before. And it’s a continuing trend throughout the Valley as gas prices continue to soar.

Officials say a factor in Gilbert’s increase is Route 156, which opened last July and runs on Chandler Boulevard and Williams Field Road from Arizona State University’s east campus into Phoenix.

But the increase in riders isn’t only limited to the town.

There has been up to a 40 percent jump in ridership on several routes throughout the Valley during the past year, Valley Metro spokeswoman Susan Tierney said.

And even though summer months traditionally are lowest for riders, the growing costs of commuting are keeping bus seats filled, she said.

“We’re still seeing more and more people waiting at the stops and getting onto the buses.”

For more information about bus routes, passes, schedules, trip planning and construction updates, visit www.valleymetro.org.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS

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

• Crews completing work on Ellsworth Road from Queen Creek to Germann roads will shut down lanes.

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

• Construction on Baseline Road near Power Road will restrict eastbound and westbound traffic through the end of the month.

• Traffic traveling east and west will be restricted on Chandler Heights Road from Higley to Greenfield roads.

• Work to clean storm damage at Empire Boulevard and Crismon Road will restrict lanes near the intersection.

• Traffic will be shifted to the west on Power Road from Riggs to Chandler Heights roads as crews continue sewer line instillation.