In the year since the first public involvement campaign last fall, ADOT has identified six potential rail alternatives and one express bus alternative that could link the two metropolitan areas, while meeting demands for future growth and travel options along one of the busiest interstate corridors in Arizona.

ADOT wants to reach out to community members and get ideas and opinions on the seven options currently under evaluation. The public is encouraged to attend the following events and stop by the ADOT booth to give their input:

Stagecoach Days located at Pacana Park at Porter Road and Allen Stephens Parkway in Maricopa on Oct. 20 from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Gilbert Fall Music and Halloween Festival located at Freestone Park at Lindsay Road and Juniper in Gilbert on Oct. 27 from noon – 9 p.m.

The survey and the complete list of outreach events can be found at http://www.azdot.gov/passengerrail. The public comment period runs through Dec. 15.

Along with the seven potential alignments, ADOT is studying sites for station locations. The alignments include system hubs located near downtown Phoenix and downtown Tucson, and each includes extensions beyond the system hubs that would link to the west Phoenix metropolitan area, as well as Tucson International Airport.

Should the study conclude that a passenger rail line or bus service is feasible between Phoenix and Tucson, ADOT would complete further planning and environmental studies and development activities prior to construction of any segment in the corridor. There is currently no funding identified to build a passenger rail line. ADOT will work with the public, stakeholders and policymakers to identify a funding source, should the project move forward.

For more information about ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study, visit http://www.azdot.gov/passengerrail.