Valley Metro set to kick off construction of light-rail extension

Valley Metro on Oct. 15 will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the 1.9-mile Gilbert Road light-rail extension in Mesa, Ariz.

The extension, which runs along Main Street in Mesa, stretches from Mesa Drive to Gilbert Road. Crews will begin construction next week, Valley Metro officials said in a press release.

The $153 million project is slated to open for passenger service in late 2018 or early 2018, agency officials said. The project includes two stations, a park-and-ride lot and transit center.

Construction contractor Stacy and Witbeck/Sundt has begun initial pre-construction, which includes utility survey work and installing temporary street lighting and traffic signals.