Public hearing set on Amtrak schedule change

A public hearing with the Arizona Department of Transportation has been scheduled 6 p.m. May 2 in the MUSD governing board room for residents to discuss with ADOT and city officials the impact of the Amtrak’s Sunset Limited schedule changes beginning May 7.

The Amtrak schedule change is expected to slow down commutes for residents on the south side of the Union Pacific tracks three mornings a week.

The Maricopa Amtrak station, which serves the Phoenix metro area, is just east of the heavily traveled crossing at State Road 347 and near the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway. The passenger line uses the same tracks as the Union Pacific freight line.

During a city council workshop Tuesday, Mayor Anthony Smith and Councilman Marvin Brown both expressed frustration that the city has gotten little help from ADOT to develop a plan to communicate the expected traffic delays to drivers on the road.

Smith said he is comfortable with the long-term solution, which is relocating the train station to the city's Estrella Gin property, but not with the short-term planning.

He said the city needs ADOT’s cooperation with letting drivers know about traffic delays and detour routes with message boards and signs along the affected routes.

“I want the name and the number of an ADOT person to put on those signs so that they can be responsive,” Smith said.