The proposed 10-mile extension would expand transit service along Indian School Road to the Desert Sky Transit Center, but businesses along the planned route are weighing its potential transportation benefits against concerns about construction disruptions, parking and access to their storefronts.  

Ellen Frisby, owner of Larry Harker’s Auto Repair said she supports expanding the light rail but questions the location. 

“I’m not sure there is any business in this area that would benefit from having a light rail going down Indian School Road,” Frisby said. “We are for the light rail, but it needs to go somewhere more people would benefit from it.” 

The Phoenix City Council approved the WPE as its Locally Preferred Alternative in May 2024. Valley Metro selected the route after its analysis indicated it could attract more riders than the other options, serve more people who depend on public transportation and provide better access to affordable housing. 

The WPE is still in its early planning stages. As planning continues, Valley Metro is gathering more input from residents and businesses along the corridor. 

Brett Benninghoff, a Valley Metro community relations program coordinator, said the agency is using that feedback to shape its planning.

“Community outreach for the West Phoenix Extension is ongoing, and Valley Metro continues to gather feedback from residents, businesses and other community members along the proposed corridor,” Benninghoff said. 

Valley Metro plans to visit the businesses within a quarter-mile of the corridor by the end of 2026. Valley Metro said feedback from residents and businesses will help guide construction planning and business assistance resources. Business preparedness efforts are expected to start in 2027. 

For Frisby, the biggest concern is how construction could affect the longstanding businesses established along Indian School Road. 

“Construction alone would hurt a lot of businesses,” Frisby said. “They would also have to expand Indian School Road, and a lot of the businesses would not have enough parking for their customers.”

Valley Metro has identified economic impacts as an issue it intends to study. The agency is conducting a study tracking the economic effects of construction on businesses and residents before, during and after the project. 

Valley Metro said the information can help guide future planning and business support. 

Before construction can begin, Valley Metro still has technical and planning work to complete. Tony Santana, the agency’s deputy chief of design and construction, said several factors are still being evaluated. 

“The project is still early in the planning and advanced conceptual engineering process,” Santana said. “The focus now is on completing that work, continuing community engagement and coordinating with the city of Phoenix and other partners.”

Valley Metro will partner with the city of Phoenix and the Federal Transit Administration to identify potential funding for the extension as the route continues through the planning process. The effort will be coordinated with the city’s broader Transportation 2050 mobility plan.

According to Santana, the extension remains in the early planning and advanced conceptual engineering stages, with opening estimated for 2036, pending approval. Valley Metro’s immediate priorities include completing that work, continuing community engagement and coordinating with the city of Phoenix and other partners.