U.S. DOT signs $900 million in funding agreements for Houston light rail

U.S. Department of Transportation sealed two agreements providing $900 million in federal funds to extend Houston's major light-rail system by an additional 12 miles. The two projects being funded, the North (Red) and Southeast (Purple) lines, are already under construction, with more than 400 workers on the job now and 1,800 additional jobs expected over the next two years. Expanding Houston Metro's light-rail service to the north and the southeast is part of the city's sweeping plan to connect Houston's workforce with major downtown employment centers, including the Texas Medical Center and the University of Houston. With 18 new passenger stops along the way, the expanded light rail will also take riders to Reliant Park, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park, a new major league soccer stadium now under construction, the Museum District and the George R. Brown Convention Center/Discovery Green Park. The new light rail lines, both scheduled to open for service in 2015, will provide alternatives to congested Interstate 45 and U.S. Route 59. They are expected to carry more than 58,000 riders on weekdays, including more than 13,000 new transit riders a day, by the year 2030. The two $450 million grant agreements signed are funded through Federal Transportations Authority's New Starts capital transit discretionary grant program.