Buckeyeans may get the chance to travel to Tucson by rail in the near future with three daily round trips planned.
The Arizona Department of Transportation announced new steps to advance a proposed passenger rail service connecting Buckeye to Tucson, with an Executive Leadership Team formed to guide planning efforts. The team includes representatives from the Governor’s Office, ADOT, and regional planning organizations from Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties.
The rail corridor, spanning approximately 160 miles, is seen as a transformative project for Arizona’s transportation future.
In a statement, Governor Katie Hobbs emphasized its potential to drive economic growth and expand transit options for Arizonans.
“Regional collaboration is critical to advancing this effort, and having key partners at the table will help us move full speed ahead,” Hobbs said.
With $3.5 million in state funding and $500,000 from the federal Corridor Identification and Development Program, ADOT is working toward the next phase: developing a Service Development Plan. This will identify station locations, forecast ridership and revenue, and outline infrastructure improvements needed to make the project viable. Early proposals anticipate three daily round trips between Buckeye and Tucson.
Buckeye, one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, stands to benefit significantly from the proposed rail line, which would provide residents with enhanced connectivity to the Phoenix metro area and beyond.
“We are excited to work with our partners to study the potential of connecting Phoenix and Tucson by rail,” said ADOT Director Jennifer Toth. “Both rural and urban areas can benefit, along with historically underserved communities.”
While funding for construction is not yet secured, state and federal officials remain optimistic about the rail line’s potential. The project builds on previous environmental studies and aligns with broader efforts to expand passenger rail nationwide. If approved, the plan would move into preliminary engineering and environmental assessments, inching Arizona closer to reconnecting its cities by rail.
