Emma Jade

12 News | azcentral.com

in 2013, nearly 74 million people used the light rail and bus systems in the Valley according to Valley Metro, setting a new record. More people are turning to mass transit and will soon have a new option in north Phoenix.

"This is the latest extension, the 3.2 mile stretch which will go from Montebello, which is just south of Bethany Home Road, to Dunlap," said 5th District Phoenix City Councilman Daniel Valenzuela.

This light-rail extension is especially meaningful to Valenzuela.

"I am personally from this part of town," he said. "I'm from this district and I know firsthand by talking with the people of this community that this is a promise that we expected to have been able to keep."

That promise was put on hold during the recession. The extension should have been done by now - it was approved by voters years ago, and started in 2007.

But the city, along with Valley Metro, got the funding back on track.

"This weekend, we're going to lay down the first track," Valenzuela said.

It's a huge step in keeping the promise to voters.

"We're about a month or so ahead of schedule right now, and we're looking good to finish early 2016," said contractor Erik Yingling with Stacy and Witbeck.

The public is invited to celebrate with Valley Metro, Mayor Greg Stanton, Councilman Valenzuela, and others as they lay down the first track on the southwest corner of 19th and Dunlap avenues. The event is Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. There will be games, free food, and entertainment.