I found this little tidbit this morning:
City leaders and airport officials said the (ed: sky train) extension will ensure that passengers have rail access to and from all three terminals and all airlines that operate at Sky Harbor.
Also, "we will be able to add 1,000 new jobs within the next six to seven months" for the project's extension, said Mayor Phil Gordon, who has been working with the airport to find funding for the automated rail system.
The 18 rail cars for the project are being built by workers in Pittsburgh for Montreal-based Bombardier.
In all, about 8,000 workers will be involved with the project's first phase, the extension to Terminal 3 and the walkway to Terminal 2.
Phoenix SkyTrain Extension Approved
This folks, is how we create jobs. Mass investment in infrastructure at Sky Harbor International airport that will relieve congestion, increase efficiency, all the while adding much needed employment both in the Valley and beyond.
So how did this project get off the ground here in government-investment-adverse Arizona?
It has to do with a unique way of funding. In order for the City of Phoenix (owner of Sky Harbor) to be able to fund this huge investment ($1.5 billion when all said and done), the "sky train" system was split into three phases. The first phase connects with the Phoenix area light rail system, the main airport garage, and the airport's busiest terminal (Terminal 4). The phase just announced will connect a second terminal (Terminal 3), with access to a third (Terminal 2). The whole project is funded by a $4.50 surcharge for all passenger tickets at Sky Harbor - and increased travel this past quarter has led to more available monies, speeding up the process by 5 years.
Another key to the sky train success so far has been the city's use of cost-limited contracts. These same contracts were used with success on the Phoenix light rail system, which completed on time and on budget. Holding contractors responsible has paid off - no unlimited trough of money does wonders.
Unfortunately, the available ARRA funds for such projects were very competitive- Phoenix lost out. I can only wonder how many jobs would be created if other such projects could proceed as the sky train is now...