Connecting light rail, commuter and high-speed trains to Arizona's airports is key to a truly intermodal system. Fortunately, both Phoenix Sky Harbor International and Tucson International are closely bordered by rail lines which would be served by the trains described above. Yet both require new facilities to permit passenger transfer between train and plane.
Tucson International Airport is bordered on the west by the Union Pacific Railroad to Nogales, but the passenger terminal is across the runway to the east. A shuttle bus could travel approximately two miles between the rail station and the air terminal.
Figure 15. Sky Harbor
International Airport: People-mover, Light Rail
and Commuter / High Speed
Rail
A variety of alternatives exist at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Light rail stations are planned at both the east and west sides of the airport property, at 24th and 44th Streets. At one or perhaps both of these could be a connection to a "people-mover" train which would tunnel under the runway, connecting the light rail terminal to a consolidated car rental site, Terminals 2, 3, and 4, and the East Economy Parking Lot.
As this is being written, there is discussion as to whether the UPRR, which is north of the airport, should be depressed through the airport property, or relocated around the airport, as a result of the project to build a fourth runway.
If the railroad is relocated, a combined station could be built, combining light rail, commuter, and high-speed rail with a link to the people-mover. If the railroad is instead kept near its current alignment and depressed through the airport property, space should be provided below grade for a commuter and high-speed rail station with a connection to the people-mover.
Both scenarios present excellent opportunities for intermodal transfers, with proper planning. Care must be taken in constructing the new rail line to permit easy operation of both freight and passenger trains. At least two main through freight tracks should be constructed in addition to two tracks with platforms for the passenger rail station.
In either case, Sky Harbor could become a model intermodal hub in the Southwest.