Tempe Welcomes 1st Streetcar Ahead Of Route Testing

TEMPE, AZ — Valley Metro's new Tempe streetcar service took another step toward reality on Monday.

That's when the public transportation operator unveiled its new streetcar to the public for the first time.

The lime green and silver streetcars will be the first modern version of the transport in the Valley, joining Valley Metro's light rail service connecting residents from west Phoenix with Mesa to the east.

We are celebrating the arrival of our first #TempeStreetcar vehicle! Tempe Councilmember @ArredondoSavage speaks about how this day has been years in the making. @Tempegov pic.twitter.com/qEzLCJud0P
— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/valleymetr... 22, 2021

The 2021 construction outlook for the streetcar service includes testing along Rio Salado Parkway, between Ash Avenue and Packard Drive. Art installation will begin at the streetcar route's stations.

Testing will then migrate to the section between Mill and Ash avenues between University Drive and Rio Salado Parkway in zone two of the rollout before it moves to Mill Avenue south of University Avenue near Gammage Curve in zone three of the rollout, according to Valley Metro.

The fourth and final zone of the streetcar rollout is along Apache Boulevard from Forest Avenue to Dorsey Lane. Service is set to commence later this year.

This #StPatricksDay we're seeing green!
ICYMI, on Friday we welcomed the first of our new streetcar vehicles to the Valley. #TempeStreetcar pic.twitter.com/Oe0CTGMBpd
— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/valleymetr... 17, 2021

The Tempe streetcar project began in 2018 when the Federal Transit Administration approved the project and allowed work to begin in fall 2018.