The BIG Green M: Valley Metro Money Machine Rolls-On To A New End-Point @ Gilbert Road

. . . and You Are Invited to The Grand Opening this Saturday by Hizzoner Mesa Mayor John Giles. (vid inserted below)
But first some mind-numbing numbers from mainstream media about the high costs of Valley Metro's Gilbert Road Extension: The two-station, 1.9-mile (3.1 km) Gilbert Road Extension began construction in November 2016 and is expected to cost $184 million.
This is an image of officials announcing the start of construction. City Manager Chris Brady is at the far right. Former Mesa City Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh at left center next to current D5 Councilmember David Luna. Former D4 Councilmember Chris Glover next to the city manager. The project is right on for the opening date, but costs have sky-rocketed.


If readers of this blog ever wondered why the City of Mesa bought the vacant Mervyn's Department Store at the NWC of Main Street/Stapley Drive, it was for this photo opp of Mesa City officials wearing yellow vests in front of that TOGETHER sculpture with ex-mayor Scott Smithm now President/CEO of Valley standing at far right. . . They now hope to sell the property for a profit  to pay-off some Bond Debt

Ooops! Hold on ... this is what Sundt Construction said about the cost figure back in 2017

Sundt Saving Valley Metro Money in a Roundabout Way

September 20, 2017

"Sundt has a wealth of experience working on light-rail projects for Valley Metro in the Greater Phoenix area. Still, there’s a first time for everything. . . .our work on the Gilbert Road Extension in Mesa, Arizona has a new wrinkle. Part of the scope is constructing a roundabout to create better traffic flow and eliminate the need for expensive traffic signals. The roundabout will be the first of its kind at a four-way intersection in a light-rail system and only the second overall in the United States. . .

". . . The $113 million Gilbert Road Extension includes 1.9 miles of track, two stations, one park and ride transit center. Guideway and track construction should begin this winter and substantial completion is scheduled for the end of 2018, targeting a May 2019 opening.
LINK > http://www.sundt.com/media/blog/2017/09/20 
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The public transit system serves Phoenix and surrounding areas. The GRE is scheduled to open on May 18, 2019, and will become the new terminus of the light rail line.
The station has a park-and-ride facility and a bus station that is served by local routes.
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