INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS
Public Way Use Agreements, Central Phoenix/East Valley LRT Project, Phoenix, AZ

Project Description
The CP/EV LRT Project was a $1.4B, 20-mile light rail project connecting the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. This project was the first light rail project in the Phoenix area and the first project embarked upon by the newly formed Valley Metro Rail; an organization governed by the local cities. The project consisted mostly of a double track, street running system including a 1,500’ long bridge over Tempe Town Lake and a maintenance shop access created using ADOT rights of way. The major stakeholders in the Project included VMR, the City of Phoenix, the City of Tempe, and the City of Mesa. The Project was funded using federal and local funds.

SG&A Scope of Work/Challenges
SG&A was contracted by Valley Metro Rail (METRO), to create Public Way Use Agreements sufficient to secure METRO’s right to utilize public rights of way for all elements of the CP/EV Project.

The biggest challenge in the creation of the Public Way Use Agreements was getting the team (METRO and the Stakeholders) to think long term to meet the federal government’s expectation that the cities did not have the unilateral authority to reclaim the property dedicated for the light rail system.

Success Story
Agreements were crafted separately for the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. Additionally, a similar agreement was crafted with ADOT for the access track to METRO’s maintenance facility. Teamwork prevailed and language was crafted satisfying each city’s needs and meeting the expectations of the Federal Transit Administration.