It stands to reason that a cutting-edge light rail construction project would make use of innovative communication technology to keep the public informed about the project. That’s exactly what’s happening in Phoenix, Ariz., where Sundt and joint venture partner Stacy & Witbeck are constructing a major extension of the city’s light rail system, known as the Northwest Extension.
While the public awaits the heavy civil construction project’s completion in April 2016, they can use an application developed by the project team to stay connected with area businesses and get project updates. The “NWExtension” app, available for free in the Apple iTunes store, contains coupons, business promotions, route information, construction updates, information about community groups, traffic impacts and more. The idea for the app grew out of the team’s business assistance efforts.
“The project team has done a phenomenal job helping us out – way above and beyond what anyone would expect,” said Luis F. Granda, who works for a company that until recently owned a car wash on 19th Avenue, where most of the construction is taking place. “I think the app is an incredible idea. I have it on my phone right now. I know that our customers have downloaded it and that it has helped our business because it has so much great information.”
In 2008, Sundt and Stacy & Witbeck completed more than half of the original 20-mile “starter” section of the Valley Metro Light Rail transit system (Line Section 4 and Line Section 5), plus the system’s maintenance and operations facility.