The Phoenix area entered the
modern era of urban electric rail transportation with the inauguration of METRO during the last
week of 2008. The
twenty-mile initial line goes from northwest of downtown and then through
the Uptown and Midtown districts, into and through center city, and on
east, continuing out southeast into and through Tempe, and finally
reaching
the line's other terminal, in Mesa.
METRO is the chosen name for Valley Metro Rail Inc., a non-profit public
corporation. There are 28 stations in each direction. Much
of the route utilizes reserved lanes along existing streets. North
and east of the heart of Phoenix, trains run along parallel one-way
streets. This view in downtown shows an eastbound train leaving
1st Ave. to begin its run along Jefferson St. The train is near
the older and newer civic buildings. The winter sun is intense,
and it reflects sharply off the front of the turning train.
All the other photos in the present limited form of this series are from
several months before service began. In the near future additional
coverage will be provided which will show much more of METRO in operation.
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