Subject: First Tracks of 20-mile METRO System Placed
Date: Monday, March 06, 2006 4:38 PM

First Tracks of 20-mile METRO System Placed

Phoenix, Ariz. - The first 200 feet of in-street tracks of the 20- mile
METRO light rail have been installed near the Phoenix/Tempe border at
Washington and 56th Street.

This initial track will be part of a mile-long test track that will be
used ultimately by the METRO system. The test track will run along
Washington Street between 44th and 56th streets when completed in early
2007. Trains are expected to begin testing in spring that same year.

METRO board member and Phoenix Councilman Tom Simplot said placement of
the first in-street rail is an exciting sign of progress of the 20- mile
METRO system that will travel through the cities of Phoenix, Tempe and
Mesa and help link the participating cities.

"The success of METRO depends on partnerships--partnerships between
cities, residents and businesses," said Simplot.  "This line segment is
the beginning of the collaboration.  Working together, we will change
the nature of public transit in the Valley for the better."

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman said the installation of the first tracks is
not only advancement of the METRO system, but should serve as a
significant reminder of what METRO will bring to the Valley.

"This is only the beginning of great things to come." he said.  "We have
made an extraordinary investment in our future and look forward to
developing thousands of new jobs and access to places where we live,
work and play."

Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker said Mesa is proud to be part of the regional
system and looks forward to the tracks linking his community with the
20-mile system.

METRO Chief Executive Officer Rick Simonetta said the placement of the
first tracks is a reflection of the METRO staff and the community
members who continue to help make METRO a reality.

"During this exciting time we celebrate more than the placement of the
initial tracks of the METRO system," he said. "We recognize the
unprecedented amount of public input gathered to create a system that
will serve the public's needs and stand the test of time for decades to
come."

The METRO light rail system is scheduled to open in December 2008.