An initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot that would provide additional bus services and extend an already approved light rail system could play a key role in ASU's plans for a downtown Phoenix campus.
Proposition 400 is asking Maricopa County voters to approve an extension of the county's half-cent transportation sales tax for an additional 20 years. The tax, which was approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985, expires on Dec. 31, 2005.
The transportation tax would raise money that, combined with state and/or federal highway transit funding, would provide a regional transportation plan costing about $16 billion.
Richard Stanley, senior vice president of planning for ASU, said light rail and its expected completion in 2008 is an "important component" of ASU's pursuit of a Phoenix downtown campus.
Stanley said the initiative would provide an easy connection between ASU Main and the downtown campus by making travel time 23 minutes or less.
"It provides more transportation services and parking for students, staff and faculty," Stanley said.
During a forum earlier this month, all of the Tempe candidates running for state House and Senate seats said they supported Proposition 400.
Sen. Harry Mitchell, D-Tempe, said the measure would provide more transportation options for ASU and Tempe, which is already a congested area.
"Tempe residents and ASU students know when driving is bad idea because it's hard finding parking," Mitchell said. "Proposition 400 would help many aspects of ASU, such as athletics and also cultural events because it would provide easy access and parking for visitors."
Freeway construction and refurbishment constitute 57 percent of the plan.
The initiative includes 344 miles of new or improved freeways, 2,100 new buses, 40 new regional bus routes, 34 improved intersections and 27 new miles to the region's approved light rail system.
The plan includes adding new lanes to Loop 101, Loop 202 and U.S. 60 -- three of the primary freeways students take to and from the Tempe campus.
Jay Thorne, spokesman for Yes on 400, said the measure would improve mobility for the entire Valley.
"In the future, when ASU has its downtown campus as planned, the transportation plan would provide a easy linkage for all ASU campuses," Thorne said.
But opponents of the plan, like a group called No on 400, want more freeway improvements but want to eliminate the light rail portion of the plan, which is estimated to cost $2.3 billion. Voters already approved 30 miles of light rail in March, with the first portion opening in 2008.
Rep. Mark Thompson, R-Tempe, said while he understands the light rail is expensive, another transportation option in lieu of the light rail would not be useful for Tempe. He said Tempe's population density would support light rail traffic.
"Proposition 400 would improve transportation and help residents get around easy and quickly," Thompson said.
Thorne said a lot of students don't care about the initiative, and some think Proposition 400 would increase taxes that would provide funds for the plan.
"Proposition 400 is not a tax increase," Thorne said. "It only asks voters to extend an existing transportation tax to improve transportation for Maricopa County."
Reach the reporter at laosamoa.poasa@asu.edu.
