Mayors and representatives from Tempe, Mesa, Glendale and Phoenix launched the Valley Light Rail construction project at Tempe Beach Park Tuesday during the official groundbreaking ceremony.
The only shovels present were miniature models presented to each city by Rick Simonetta, Valley Metro Rail chief executive officer.
Instead, Valley officials pulled a lever to light a full-scale model of a portion of the light rail bridge that will span Tempe Town Lake.
Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman said light rail would alleviate traffic problems for the entire Valley and enhance Tempe business districts.
"It's going to probably kick off a real renaissance redevelopment along the light rail corridor where we're already seeing a lot of development," Hallman said.
"For those critics that are still remaining, let me ask you to do one more thing, get on board," Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said in his remarks. "People have spoken at the polls and at the ballot box," he added.
The mayors, citizens and news outlets from the cities filled a time capsule that will be sealed in an above-ground container at one of the light rail stops until 2025.
Officials of Valley Metro Light Rail have not yet decided which stop will host the time capsule.
Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker submitted $1,000 worth of stock certificates from various Mesa businesses he said he purchased with his own money.
The Arizona Republic, East Valley Tribune, The State Press and La Voz each submitted a copy of Tuesday's paper. The time capsule also included today's play list from KNIX radio.
Construction on the Tempe portion of light rail and the light rail bridge to pass over Tempe Town Lake will begin next month. The system will not open until December 2008.
Reach the reporter at emilia.arnold@asu.edu.
