METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Consultant Achievements: Valley Metro Rail's Phoenix West project

InfraConsult staff members have been involved with the development of the METRO system since the early planning days and are currently providing public involvement and communication strategies services for an 11-mile planned extension of the system, the Phoenix West project.

by METRO Staff
June 16, 2011
Consultant Achievements: Valley Metro Rail's Phoenix West project

Valley Metro Rail's Phoenix West project (rendering shown) is an 11-mile planned extension of the initial 20-mile starter light rail line. (Photo courtesy of InfraConsult.)

2 min to read


Valley Metro Rail's Phoenix West project (rendering shown) is an 11-mile planned extension of the initial 20-mile starter light rail line. (Photo courtesy of InfraConsult.)

InfraConsult LLC
Head Executives: Michael I. Schneider, Managing Partner;
Alan C. Wulkan, Managing Partner;
Simon Zweighaft, Managing Partner
Headquarters: A Limited Liability Company registered in Delaware
Employees: 42
Website: www.InfraConsultLLC.com

In 2008, Valley Metro Rail Inc. (METRO) began operation of a 20-mile starter light rail line, and more than 200,000 people rode the system during the two-day grand opening. Since that time, the popular system has seen consistent ridership 30 percent to 40 percent above projections.

Ad Loading...

InfraConsult staff members have been involved with the development of the METRO system since the early planning days and are currently providing public involvement and communication strategies services for an 11-mile planned extension of the system, the Phoenix West project.

Phoenix West is one of several extensions of the 20-mile light rail starter line that will eventually help create a 57-mile high-capacity transit system supportive of the region's growth. The study includes extensive community outreach in a corridor with very diverse socioeconomic populations and land uses. The InfraConsult team, led by partner Terry Gruver, is responsible for strategizing outreach approaches and techniques; coordinating all activities including outreach to residents, neighborhoods and businesses; facilitating citizen, stakeholder and agency meetings; making presentations for delivery to community groups; and assisting in or overseeing development of communication materials including project brochures, newsletters, website content and photo simulations.

The study has produced a Locally Preferred Alternative, and current efforts include working closely with a residential community on how the recommended alternative would best benefit and function within adjacent neighborhoods. Issues being addressed include potential historic properties and options for crossing an existing freight line.

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Rail

Caltrain trains on tracks
Railby StaffMarch 6, 2026

Caltrain Adopts Corridor-Wide Right-of-Way Safety Strategy

Caltrain and its partners have implemented safety improvements at specific locations in response to known risk conditions, operational needs, and available funding since the agency’s founding.

Read More →
A photo of rail tracks in Ottawa, Canada

Building a National Framework for Transit Safety and Consistency

On a recent episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the CSA Group, to explore a bold initiative aimed at addressing those challenges: the development of a National Code for Transit and Passenger Rail Systems in Canada.

Read More →
Stairs in a New York rail station with text reading "USDOT Invests $686 Million to Modernize Aging Rail Stations."
Railby StaffMarch 2, 2026

FTA Invests $686M to Modernize Aging Rail Stations

Competitive FTA grants will support accessibility upgrades, family-friendly improvements, and cost-efficient capital projects at some of the nation’s oldest and busiest transit hubs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A purple MBTA train at a Mansfield Station platform.
Railby StaffFebruary 27, 2026

MBTA Updates Rail Modernization Plan to Expand Reliability and Accessibility

The strategy outlines near- and long-term upgrades to ease congestion, support housing growth, and advance statewide climate goals.

Read More →
LA Metro underground station with vehicle
Railby StaffFebruary 27, 2026

LA Metro Sets D Line Subway Extension Launch Date

The 3.92-mile addition will soon take riders west beyond its current Wilshire and Western station in Koreatown, continuing under Wilshire Boulevard through neighborhoods and communities including Hancock Park, Windsor Square, the Fairfax District, and Carthay Circle into Beverly Hills.

Read More →
MBTA railcars
Railby StaffFebruary 26, 2026

Boston's MBTA Marks Progress in Regional Rail Modernization

The procurement advances the agency's broader efforts to modernize its rail fleet and position Regional Rail for long-term improvement.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An Amtrak Acela
Railby StaffFebruary 26, 2026

Amtrak Sets New Course for Long-Distance Fleet Renewal

Under the plan, all long-distance routes will transition to a universal single-level fleet, replacing today’s mix of bi-level and single-level equipment.

Read More →
A TriMet MAX Light Rail vehicle overhead shot
Railby StaffFebruary 24, 2026

STV Finalizes Design for First Phase of TriMet MAX Blue Line Substation Upgrades

The milestone is a significant step toward modernizing the MAX Blue Line’s power infrastructure, one of the oldest components of the region’s light rail system.

Read More →
HDR rendering of LA to Coachella Valley Rail Project
Railby StaffFebruary 20, 2026

HDR Selected to Advance LA–Coachella Valley Rail Corridor Project

The firm will lead the Tier 2 environmental review program for the Coachella Valley Rail Corridor, including the conceptual and preliminary engineering needed to develop project-level environmental clearance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rendering of Austin Transit Partnership's light rail line.
Railby StaffFebruary 19, 2026

Contractor Chosen to Help Build Austin Light Rail

The ATP board’s approval of ARC enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities and advance final design for Austin Light Rail under the first phase of what will be a multibillion-dollar contract.

Read More →