The City of Phoenix has won a $10.3 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant to build eight miles of paved multi-use path, high-intensity crosswalk beacons and pedestrian bridges along the Grand Canal. The improvements, the second phase of the Grand Canalscape project, will complete the trail along the waterway from Interstate 17 east to the City of Tempe border.
The project improvements encompass a range of facilities to improve the quality and safety of non-motorized travel along the Grand Canal including:
- Eight miles of new paved multi-use trail stretching from I-17 east to the Tempe border
- New pedestrian bridges
- High-intensity and rapid-flashing crosswalk beacons at key intersections
- Pedestrian lighting
- Improved neighborhood access connections.
The project will be linked to Phase I of the Grand Canalscape project, which includes six miles of path along the canal from 15th Avenue to 16th Street on the west end, and Garfield to Van Buren streets on the east. Phase I currently is in design and construction is scheduled to start next summer. The new Phase II portion of trail also will provide major connections to light rail, bus and the city and region’s growing pedestrian and bicycle network. The city partnered with Salt River Project (SRP) to apply for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. This is the first TIGER grant the city has received.
“This grant will help transform the Grand Canal from an under-utilized water delivery asset into a bike and pedestrian-friendly pathway that is full of life and activity,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “This is a great investment that will help our canal system reach its massive potential as a community resource.”
“We have been looking forward to expanding the Grand Canalscape project for some time and this grant allows us to accomplish the project,” said Councilwoman Thelda Williams, chair of the City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “Completing the project will enhance the area and promote transportation options along the canal.”
“We were happy to support this effort to acquire a TIGER grant, which will allow Phoenix to create additional community amenities on the Grand Canal,” said Jim Duncan of SRP’s Water Engineering and Groundwater Department. “Except for a very short but important portion of the canal near the Tempe/Phoenix border, this grant will essentially connect the Grand Canal trail from Tempe Town Lake all the way to the I-17.”