Last weekend, Arizona’s Northwest Phoenix community, along with national and local officials and Valley Metro, celebrated the significant construction progress on the 3.2-mile Northwest Phoenix light rail extension. The First Track Celebration, on 19th Avenue, commemorated a significant milestone as the project nears the halfway point.

"The Valley’s light rail system is one of the most successful in the country, ranking at the top in ridership,” said U.S. Congressman Ed Pastor, who was joined by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and others at the celebration. “We’re not going to stop here. We’re going to continue to build a regional transit system that will serve our growing community.”

Local residents and businesses enjoyed Saturday’s celebration, which featured a “state fair” midway with games, food, construction equipment and entertainment. Guests watched as elected officials placed the ceremonial plaque in the area where the first track was laid. Everyone in attendance also received a commemorative milestone magnet, the second of five in a series.

The Northwest Phoenix light rail extension will extend light rail from Montebello to Dunlap avenues and is expected to open in 2016.