Valley Metro and the City of Phoenix will host the launch of the new Northwest Extension of the light rail (from Montebello to Dunlap avenues) from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.

Be one of the first to ride light rail on the new extension with a free commemorative pass (good only on March 19). Commemorative passes will be available at the Montebello, Glendale, Northern and Dunlap stations.

From left: Phoenix Vice Mayor Daniel Valenzuela, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Valley Metro Safety and Security Director Adrian Ruiz reveal the Northwest Extension’s opening date during a special event on Dec. 10 (submitted photo).

Don’t forget to check out the 19th Avenue Community Fair, held at the 19th Avenue & Dunlap Park-and-Ride lot, to celebrate and thank the 19th Avenue neighborhoods. There will be free, family-fun activities, food and entertainment. There will be an arts and crafts area, ASU’s mascot Sparky, local schools and businesses with booths and activities, face painters, and a ferris wheel.

The city of Phoenix is already making plans to continue to the light rail north and west, to the Metrocenter Mall area. Funding was included in Transportation 2050, which Phoenix voters approved in August 2015. The anticipated opening of the Metrocenter extension is 2023.

“Because Phoenix voters made a historic investment in public transit, we’re able to accelerate high-capacity transit projects to meet more immediate community and mobility needs,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “The adjustments to the transportation plan are critically important to further the city’s economic development, sustainability and accessibility goals.”

For more information, visit the City of Phoenix T2050 page.