FTA approves advancement of Houston light rail project

Written by jrood

The Federal Transit Administration notified METRO that it has approved Houston's University Corridor Light Rail Transit project into the Preliminary Engineering phase of the FTA's New Starts program. METRO can now move forward with engineering activities as publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and approval of a Record of Decision are imminent.

METRO officials were
elated with the good news, and its timing. "This is a great holiday present for
Houstonians. The New Year is going to be full of activity as the University
corridor has achieved another major milestone." said Frank J. Wilson, METRO president
and CEO. Work along three other light rail transit corridors, also approved in
the 2003 voter referendum, is already under way.

The University Corridor is
an 11.3-mile double-track, 19-station LRT line. The FTA’s notice cited improved
transit travel time and reliability. Implementation of the University LRT line
is projected to improve public transit travel times among commuters along
Richmond Avenue, making it more competitive with the automobile.

The University line is
projected to generate 49,000 boardings per day by the year 2030 and will
provide a connected network serving Houstonians commuting from east, west and
southwest to the city’s principal destinations and activity centers.

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