How cool is this for Sun Devil fans... ASU was just named  the "nation's top athletic program" by Sports Illustrated! Funny, I have been thinking a lot lately about how excited I am for this years football season to get started. I am looking forward to see the results from Dennis Erickson's  first full year of recruiting. So far, it sounds like they have some pretty good commitments.

Special congrats go out to ASU's three national championship teams from softball and men's and women's indoor track and field.

Oh yeah, if any one is keeping track, UofA came in 22nd place.

ok.. So many people want to go see the big party at Tempe Town Lake, the light rail cars in action and the cool lights on the new bridge. I have some road closure info courtesy of PTS News, the official e-newsletter of ASU Parking & Transit Services.

Several downtown Tempe streets will be closed this weekend for the July 4 Tempe Town Lake Festival. The following roads will be closed in both directions: 
* Mill Avenue between Curry Road/Washington Street and Second Street will be closed from 7 a.m. July 4 until 2 a.m. July 5
* Rio Salado Parkway between Packard and Hardy Drives will be closed from 9 a.m. July 4 until 2 a.m. July 5
* Mill Avenue between Second Street and University Drive will be closed from 4 p.m. July 4 until 2 a.m. July 5

The following roads will be closed from 8:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. on July 4:
* Eastbound Rio Salado Parkway between Priest Drive and Hardy Drive
* Northbound Rural Road between University Drive and Rio Salado Parkway
* Southbound Scottsdale Road between Curry Road and Rio Salado Parkway
* The Loop 202 off-ramps at Scottsdale Road

The City of Tempe Transportation program, Tempe in Motion, will make it easy for residents to get to the Festival with free extended bus service. Residents are encouraged to park at one of the following park-and-ride locations and ride the bus for free to the festivities:

* Tempe Library Complex located at the SW corner of Southern Avenue and Rural Road (Route 72)
* Tempe Sports Complex located on Hardy Drive just north of Warner Road (Route 62)
* Arizona Mills Mall located on Priest Drive near entry 1 (Routes 56, 92)
* Tempe Marketplace located at the NE corner of McClintock Drive and Rio Salado Parkway (Route 81)
Several bus detours will occur on July 4 affecting both Orbit and Valley Metro buses. For a complete list of detours, please visit Tempe In Motion for FREE bus service for the festival!.

For more information on these street closures, including bus detours, please visit Tempe Street Closures or Valley Metro Bus info pages..

Have fun and be safe! Join us at the lake.. Follow Rail Life on Twitter to find out what we are up to..

A lot of people wonder how the fare system will work once the light rail trains begin to run in December. Basically, a ride (bus or light rail) is going to cost most people $1.25 and an all day pass is just $2.50. There will be other options available. For instance, you can purchase a 3, 7 or a 31 day pass, the 31 day pass is just $45.00. This is probably a great option for people that live, work, or "play" along the line. One note about those who go to school near the line.. ASU students will be given a free light rail "U-Pass as part of their tuition! How cool is that?!? Light Rail will be a huge benefit for ASU students.

Ticket Vending Machines (tvm"s) will be available for purchasing your light rail pass. The fares are enforced by an "honor system" with random ticket checks aboard trains by employees. Serious folks, no cheating allowed! I understand that you can also buy your fare on line, through the mail, at transit centers etc.

I was glad to be able to shoot this short video where Gary Flunoy from Metro spoke about the subject. As we get closer to December, I am sure Metro will be giving out more information. I'll let you know if I hear anything else..

At ASU, it is going to be very important to talk about "safety" along and near the lines. Metro is offering a seminar on Friday, June 13th in the ASU Biodesign Institute Auditorium. (click here for ASU Biodesing map) Heres the deal...

Friday, June 13, 2008

Metro Light Rail Safety Brown Bag Seminar

“Safety Around the Tracks”

Location: Biodesign Institute Auditorium

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:-00 p.m.

"The Metro Light Rail train testing will expand into a zone that includes the tracks that run through campus by the end of June or early July. From then until its opening in December, those adjacent to the line should be expecting a train at any time, from either direction. Bring your lunch and listen to a Metro official explain what to expect and how to stay safe around the tracks."

Remember students, not only is your life on the line but your wallet is too.. Starting September 1st, you could get nailed for a $150.00 ticket if you cross in the wrong spot.

Don't forget, Light Rail is soon going to be traveling between the Phoenix and Tempe sites. This should be a huge convenience for many students but it is something that will be new. New, as in, learning curve.. Don't be a statistic. Please take a minute to familiarize yourself with the route, the cars and don't forget to enjoy the ride come December! Please check back often for more info and details..