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All Press Releases for September 3, 2008 Subscribe to this News Feed    
 

Tempe Events Celebrate First Arizona Light Rail Opening

This Holiday Season, Ride the Rail, Catch a Bowl Game, Rock a Free Concert, Watch Fireworks, Get a Tan

TEMPE, Ariz. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) September 3, 2008 -- The City of Tempe is celebrating the opening of Arizonas first light rail system with special events (www.tempe.gov/destinationtempe) from Dec. 27-31.

Destination Tempe highlights the citys beliefs in innovation, fun and environmental responsibility. Traditionally, weather for the week is a sunny 68 degrees. Events include:

  • Light Rail Grand Opening Celebration Dec. 27-28
    Make history be among first to ride the light rail system
    Tour the Tempe Transportation Center
    Saturday festival features music, fireworks and displays on light rail technology
  • Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party -- Dec. 31
    One of the 10 best New Years Eve celebrations in the nation, according to USA Today, featuring fireworks, 40 bands and family-friendly festivities.

News Image The cities of Phoenix and Mesa will also have parties along the line, creating a 20-mile celebration.

Tempe is the only Arizona city to have a light rail system that runs from one city border to the other. The $1.4 billion, 20-mile line joins Tempe with Mesa and Phoenix to create an integrated transportation system connecting rail, buses and bicycles. Downtown Tempe is minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport and Tempe is surrounded by freeways, creating a synergy of travel choices.

A bridge across Tempe Town Lake puts on a colorful light show each time a light rail train crosses. A LEED Gold certified maintenance facility and new Transportation Center pending LEED certification provide a seamless transition from rail to bus or bike.

This system provides economic relief and is a sustainable option to traffic and air quality issues. About 26,000 daily passengers are expected the first year, with the system capacity of 50,000 riders in 2020.

The $1.4 billion rail system includes 28 stations, nine parking locations, a maintenance facility and many trains.

About City of Tempe:

Tempe, Arizona is a community of 165,000 residents located in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Home to Arizona State University and the states highest per capita rate of technology companies, Tempe is an innovative, forward thinking community. Tempe employs 175,000 and draws 4 million tourists annually. Approximately $2 billion in new development is under way, much of it along the new light rail line.

Multimedia: Tempe online newsroom

MULTIMEDIA GALLERY

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5768595

See the original story at: http://eon.businesswire.com/releases/tempe/light/prweb1281904.htm

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CONTACT INFORMATION

City of Tempe
Kris Baxter, 480-250-5198
Kristina_baxter@tempe.gov
www.tempe.gov/destinationtempe

ATTACHED FILES

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The City of Tempe, Arizona is celebrating the opening of a 20-mile light rail line this December with Destination Tempe special events. These include the Insight Bowl, a 20-mile light rail party with fireworks and a national band and many other activities. www.tempe.gov/destinationtempe (Photo: jwestphotography.com)

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