Welcome to the Van Buren Street Corridor Online Workshop

BRT - What You Need to Know

Phoenix voters approved Transportation 2050, a 35-year citywide transportation plan, which included Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). BRT is a high-capacity bus service that provides a fast, reliable, and convenient transit experience that’s coming to Phoenix! A BRT system is unique because it can be planned and designed to best meet the needs of the community.

BRT Elements

These elements are commonly found in successful BRT systems and will be included in Phoenix’s first BRT corridor.

Frequent service

Enhanced bus stations

Transit spot improvement

Dedicated lanes

New, larger buses

Level boarding

All door boarding

Enhanced fare collection system

Increased reliability

Where we are...

In fall 2025, we will be focusing on the Van Buren Street portion of the corridor, finalizing the preferred lane option to continue moving the project forward into design.

The section of the Van Buren Street Corridor between 7th Avenue and Central Avenue (shown in dark blue in the map below) will incorporate mixed-running BRT due to limited roadway width, existing building infrastructure, and right-of-way impacts. Mixed-running means the BRT buses will operate in the same traffic lanes as regular cars and other vehicles.

Lane configuration for side-running BRT along Van Buren Street at a signalized intersection where BRT stations are proposed.

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Considerations

1. 

   Dedicated BRT Lane Use:
   Local buses can use the BRT lane and general traffic can make right-turns from the BRT lane

2. 

   Roadway Width:
   Requires more road width

3. 

   Pedestrian Access:
   Station access is on the sidewalks, creating longer pedestrian crossings through intersections

4. 

   Right-of-Way Impacts:
   More potential right-of-way impacts to residences and businesses

5. 

   Travel Time:
   Slower travel times and less reliable due to impacts from right-turning general traffic and local bus

6. 

   Left-Turn Movements/Access:
   Drivers can make left-turns throughout the corridor

Considerations

1. 

   Dedicated BRT Lane Use:
   Only BRT buses are allowed in the BRT lane

2. 

   Roadway Width:
   Requires less road width

3. 

   Pedestrian Access:
   Station access is in the center of the road, creating shorter pedestrian crossings through intersections

4. 

   Right-of-Way Impacts:
   Less potential right-of-way impacts to residences and businesses

5. 

   Travel Time:
   Faster travel times and more reliable due to the elimination of general traffic impacts

6. 

   Left-Turn Movements/Access:
   Drivers can only make left-turns at signalized intersections throughout the corridor, due to bus traveling in the center of the road

Lane Options

The chart below compares the considerations for each lane option.

Consideration	Lane Option A: Side-Running BRT	Lane Option B: Center-Running BRT
Dedicated BRT Lane Use	Local buses can use the BRT lane and general traffic can make right-turns from the BRT lane	Only BRT buses are allowed in the BRT lane
Roadway Width	Requires more road width	Requires less road width
Pedestrian Access	Station access is on the sidewalks, creating longer pedestrian crossings through intersections	Station access is in the center of the road, creating shorter pedestrian crossings through intersections
Right-of-Way Impacts	More potential right-of-way impacts to residences and businesses	Less potential right-of-way impacts to residences and businesses
Travel Time	Slower travel times and less reliable due to impacts from right-turning general traffic and local bus	Faster travel times and more reliable due to the elimination of general traffic impacts
Left-Turn Movements/Access	Drivers can make left-turns throughout the corridor	Drivers can only make left-turns at signalized intersections throughout the corridor, due to bus traveling in the center of the road

There are multiple projects that impact the Van Buren Street Corridor and will be considered when determining the BRT lane options. The BRT project team will continue to collaborate with various agencies and projects throughout the design of the corridor.

The Van Buren Street BRT lane options between 35th Avenue and 7th Avenue will need to consider other potential improvements in the area, including:

• ADOT I-17 freeway crossing improvements
• Improvements at the ground-level crossing of the BNSF Railway, west of 19th Avenue
• Valley Metro I-10 West Extension light rail alignment on Van Buren Street east of I-17
• Improvements to the 7th Avenue/Grand Avenue/Van Buren Street intersection

Thank you for attending our online open house!