I attended one of the first public forums at Red Mountain CC regarding Mesa’s transportation plans for Light Rail…..including the Bus Rapid Transit service, Super Grid Bus Service, with displays of such and freeways. All to unfold in the years 2006-2026.I was also pleased to meet the new Transportation Director - a much needed addition to keep Mesa on top of our fast growing situation.The transit plans take into account the City of Mesa connecting to other communities - but not commuters from Gold Canyon, Queen Creek/Pinal County, Johnson Ranch, and a future community - Superstition Vistas, a new city. We have a population explosion already on our hands, in Mesa and/or traveling through Mesa with inadequate methods to meet those needs.The light rail to be completed to Mesa at Sycamore and Main St. by 2010 (perhaps as early as Dec. ‘08).A second phase 2011-2015 links Main St. to Mesa Drive. Then possibly Main to Power Rd. The bus services supplements transportation.The new super grid bus service covers well with routes that touch Mesa.Phase I 2008 ASU to SSC (Superstition Springs Center), 2009 Gilbert Rd.-Chandler Airport to Thomas Rd., 2010 Baseline/Southern Dobson-91st Ave. to SSC.Phase II 2011 University Dr.-SMCC to Ellsworth, 2012 Broadway-35th Ave to SSC, 2012 Elliot Rd-48th St. to SSC, 2013 Alma School to 1st St, 2014 Power Rd.-Williams Gateway Airport/ ASU East to Loop 202 park-and-ride, 2015 Ray Rd-48th St. to WGA/ASUE.Phase III nothing new for Mesa.Phase IV 2023 Greenfield Rd-Williams Field Rd to McDowell Rd.The express/Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) expands to far reaching, region-wide communities; fifty miles of arterial and freeway BRT improvements offering connections between suburban communities, central Phoenix, connections between suburbs. I counted 17 that would connect to Mesa’s Central Station - quite an elaborate plan beginning 2007 to 2023.There are plans for 13 new park-and-ride lots and 13 new transit centers, 1200 improved bus stops, 5 bus operations and maintenance facilities.Buses - it all sounds grand - but what about the freeways? Many don’t have the "extra" time to spend on a bus, adapting to it’s schedules making a longer day, so opt to drive their cars. Buses won’t reach communities listed in the 3rd paragraph because they’re Pinal County. However, a great number of vehicles come from those areas to travel to work.Moving forward with Loop 202 by WGA seems imperative, widening currently in progress on US 60 will alleviate some traffic - but inadequate.What happened to the vision? What happened to the grand plans for Williams Gateway Area that will be like a city? Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away, it’s happening. Why aren’t we listening to the expert consulting team? - We paid for their advice. Hopefully, the recent proposed 5-story research complex at the Williams Gateway area will be approved. Scott Morrison, developer, explained the height - which is over height limits for industrial districts - is required for small research companies and could attract other high-tech and possibly "wet labs" to the complex.What is holding Mesa back? Where are the answers? Time to get on board!
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