Kim McLay of
the City of Tucson Transportation Department discussed the city's plans for the
Southern Pacific Depot. The city
has purchased the former SP passenger station and now is developing plans to
make it a multi-modal transportation center as a part of a long-term
revitalization of the downtown area. The city has also acquired the former El
Paso & Southwestern track at the west edge of downtown, a corridor with a
future potential for a light rail line.
Plans started a few years ago with Arthur Keating's Tucson Depot Gateway Vision. This would tie together commuter and regional rail, Amtrak intercity rail, the adjacent Ronstadt city bus terminal, intercity buses, taxis, bicycles, and the Old Pueblo Trolley.