Scottsdale weighs role in new East Valley light-rail plan

Embroiled in heated light-rail discussions in recent months, Scottsdale will soon have to decide whether to seek participation in a Valley Metro Rail study to analyze a potential city route.

Mary O’Connor, Transportation general manager, said she did not have a lot of details about how much the study would cost Scottsdale or how it could benefit the city, but she is gathering that information for the City Council.

Like with the light-rail possibility itself, council members are divided on the study, with some liking the idea of participating and some opposed.

“If we don’t see if we can be included in that, that’s a big door slamming shut,” said Councilwoman Betty Drake, who has not ruled out supporting light rail. “The possibility of studying the Tempe connection isn’t something we should overlook.”

Councilman Bob Littlefield, a light-rail opponent, had a contrary opinion.

“If we said ‘let’s do a study,’ guess what it’s going to say?” Littlefield said. “Why would I want to encourage them to study something that’s a bad idea?”

Other council members were less committal, saying they wanted to know more about the study and its cost to the city.

“The council probably needs to have a discussion about whether we want to be a part of that study,” Mayor Mary Manross said.

The study, which is also going to examine buses and other transit options, is expected to start this summer and take between 18 and 24 months to complete, Marty McNeil, a Valley Metro Rail spokeswoman, said. The cost has yet to be determined.

The study area includes Rural Road from University Drive to Southern Avenue, a funded two-mile extension off the initial $1.4 billion, 20-mile segment of light rail through Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa that’s scheduled to open in December 2008. However, officials say the study could also be expanded along Rural Road or a parallel road from north Tempe south to Chandler Boulevard in Chandler. If Scottsdale chooses to seek participation, the study could look at light rail and other transportation options along Scottsdale Road.

But at this time, that is not in the cards. McNeil said Valley Metro Rail plans to follow the regional transportation plan, which does not include Scottsdale.

“There’s absolutely no question the decision (to include Scottsdale) has to begin with Scottsdale,” McNeil said.

Although no Scottsdale council member has endorsed light rail, a majority has not ruled out the possibility of running it along Scottsdale Road to SkySong at McDowell Road or to, but not through, downtown.

The council is awaiting the recommendation from the city’s $1.1 million master transportation plan update, which is separate from the new Valley Metro Rail study and is expected to be presented later this year. In addition, the council has agreed in principle that it will call an election to decide the fate of light rail or streetcar, the two fixed-rail options being studied in the transportation plan.

The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce endorsed light rail or streetcar and promised to be involved in a possible election. The Scottsdale Citizens Transportation Study Committee, made up of anti-rail activists, residents and downtown business owners, and the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors, have been critical of light rail.

Rick Kidder, president of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, is not sure the council would be willing to participate in the Valley Metro Rail study.

“The question at the moment is whether or not there’s the political will to do so,” Kidder said. “It’s important to develop that political will, but I’m not sure if it is here yet.”