The city of Phoenix began a four-stage Midtown Core Transportation Study in May to look at how transportation should evolve in Midtown Phoenix as the area continues to develop. The study area boundaries run from 19th Avenue, east to 16th Street; McDowell Road north to Dunlap Avenue.
The study will use recent traffic analysis, new growth projections and public insights to “explore ways to enhance safety, improve mobility and strengthen connectivity for everyone traveling in and around Midtown.” It will include a portion of the Valley Metro B-Line, bicycle lanes and reverse traffic lanes along 7th Street and 7th Avenue.
What it will not include, according to Matt Wilson, assistant director of the Street Transportation Department, is how the existing light rail will connect to the January 2026 approved West Phoenix Extension. That extension is expected to run west along Indian School Road and connect from either the existing Central Avenue/Indian School Road or 19th Avenue/Camelback Road track, and will be coordinated among the regional transportation partners.
Goals of the Midtown Core Transportation Study stated by the city are to evaluate the capacity and connectivity of existing and planned transportation networks; compare the capacity and connectivity to projected travel demand; prioritize existing projects and planned transportation projects; identify gaps in the area’s future transportation network; suggest additional strategies or projects necessary to fill gaps in the area’s future transportation network; and evaluate the 7th Avenue and 7th Street reversible lanes to determine their long-term role within the transportation network.
The study began with a corridor analysis, a May 7 virtual public meeting and a community survey, which ends May 29. Community stakeholder outreach will continue through the summer and in-person and virtual public meetings will be held this fall. A final recommendation will be provided to city council in winter of 2026.
While the May 7 meeting recording is not available, the meeting slides and additional information can be found at www.phoenix.gov/midtowncore.
