There are growing issues with theft of copper wiring, water meters and backflow preventers along a new 5.5 mile extension of Valley Metro’s light rail in south Phoenix.
At a meeting of Valley Metro’s Construction Advisory Board in late January, area residents in the area asked for more help from Valley Metro and its primary contractor, Kiewit Construction Corp., to stop the thefts.
Construction Advisory is a part of Valley Metro’s Construction Outreach Plan for the South Central Extension Downtown Hub Project, in collaboration with Kiewit. CAB meets monthly to discuss updates and concerns regarding the extension of the light rail system expected to be completed in 2024.
CAB official and former member of the Arizona House of Representatives Norma A. Munoz spoke about her experience with the rising issue at the CAB South meeting on Jan. 26.
“A part of my water meter was stolen and I was left without water for almost 12 hours,” Munoz said.
Munoz proposed implementing a security patrol service to circuit the street during the night to deter burglary and enhance the safety of the area.