South Central Extension

The South Central Extension is a light rail expansion project in Phoenix, Arizona. It will run from Downtown Phoenix south along Central Avenue to Baseline Road, adding 4.9 mi and seven stations to the Valley Metro Rail system, while connecting with two park and ride locations. Additionally, this project will form a light rail hub in Downtown Phoenix, between Central and First avenues to the west and east, and Washington and Jefferson streets to the north and south. Also included are new tracks for turn-around / staging purposes at both Third Avenue and Fifth Street for enhanced flexibility during peak service.

Service pattern
Trains along the segment are planned to operate as a new line, originating at Baseline Road and running to the Downtown Hub before interlining with the existing light rail system and continuing north to the terminus at Metro Parkway. An additional 17 light rail vehicles will also be purchased to accommodate the increase in runs.

History
After receiving environmental approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in January 2017, the project entered the design phase. Plans to reduce the number of general purpose lanes on Central from four to two to accommodate light rail tracks were initially met with backlash, and the city council's decision to proceed with initial plans prompted groups to initiate a ballot measure aimed at stopping all Valley Metro Rail funding (which ultimately failed). Construction began in 2019, with completion expected in 2025.

In 2021, the city of Phoenix began offering financial aid to business along South Central Avenue which had been affected by heavy construction for the project.