$8.2B invested along 20 miles of Valley Metro light rail

July 29, 2015

$8.2B invested along 20 miles of Valley Metro light rail — Photo from left to right: Phoenix Public Transit Director Maria Hyatt, DeSoto Market owner Shawn Connelly, Phoenix Vice Mayor Daniel Valenzuela, Phoenix Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Phoenix Councilmember Kate Gallego, Glendale Councilmember Gary Sherwood, Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell and Valley Metro CEO Steve Banta.

1 min to read

Photo from left to right: Phoenix Public Transit Director Maria Hyatt, DeSoto Market owner Shawn Connelly, Phoenix Vice Mayor Daniel Valenzuela, Phoenix Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Phoenix Councilmember Kate Gallego, Glendale Councilmember Gary Sherwood, Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell and Valley Metro CEO Steve Banta.

From restaurants to residential development, more than $8.2 billion in private and public capital investment has been built near the initial 20-miles of Valley Metro light rail that extends from Phoenix and Tempe into Mesa, Ariz. Another $346 million in commercial and residential building is being planned, most of that from private developers.

“Big things are happening in Phoenix because of light rail, and big things are going to continue to happen,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “Light rail has been transformative for our downtown and our economy. With it we’ve linked jobs, education, arts and culture in a way that would not have been possible otherwise.”

Phoenix and Tempe mayors made announcement at Phoenix’s DeSoto Central Market, an adaptive re-use bar, market and food court that intentionally chose their site due to proximity near the Roosevelt/Central Avenue light rail station.

Economic Development along 20-Mile Light Rail

Number of Projects 204

Capital Investment – Private $5,989,639,864.00

Capital Investment – Public $2,241,737,632.00

Total Investment $8,231,377,496.00

SF Commercial/Office 10,327,168

SF Public 938,737

SF Education 4,698,902

SF Residential 5,666,863

# Residential Units 15,328

# Affordable Units 1,300

# Hotel Rooms 2,948

Economic development within one-half mile of the system has been stimulated by ridership that has exceeded original projections. Valley Metro began compiling development activity since construction started in 2005 as part of an economic development database. The original $7 billion investment had included projects that were proposed. The updated $8.2 billion includes projects completed or under construction. With the 3.1-mile Central Mesa

Extension set to open in less than four weeks, there is an added $90 million in private and public development that occurred since construction began in June 2012.

Topics:investment light rail TOD Valley Metro Management Rail

More Rail

Rail•by News/Media Release•May 4, 2026

Operation Lifesaver Awards Rail Safety Outreach Funds in 12 States

Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.

Rail•by Staff•May 1, 2026

Caltrain Survey Shows Record-High Rider Approval

The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.

Management•May 1, 2026

Data-Driven Maintenance: Focusing Effort Where It Matters Most

Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.

Management•by Alex Roman•April 29, 2026

How Transit Architecture Is Reshaping the Rider Journey

In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.

Rail•by Staff•April 27, 2026

Chicago Kicks Off Historic Red Line Extension at Michigan Avenue Station Site

The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.

Security and Safety•by Staff•April 27, 2026

USDOT Invests $1.1B to Enhance Safety Infrastructure at Railroad Crossings

Every year, more than 2,000 incidents and 300 fatalities occur at railroad crossings nationwide.

Siemens and LK Comstock photo for Fulton-Liberty Lines

Security and Safety•by Staff•April 27, 2026

NYC’s Fulton–Liberty Lines Get Digital Signal Upgrade from Siemens and L.K. Comstock

The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.