Long-awaited light rail debuts in Phoenix

After almost five years of construction, a brand new urban light rail system linking Phoenix with Tempe, Arizona was was opened to the public December 27. By all accounts the new trains attracted throngs of enthusiastic riders.  The rail line spans 20 miles and cost $1.4 billion to build, but Tempe officials say the additional construction and renovation around the project generated another $4 billion in construction. Phoenix Mayor Gordon called the project “an economic engine, literally and figuratively.”