More fed funds released for Houston LRT
Written by Douglas John BowenHouston's expanding MetroRail light rail transit network has received $188 million in funding from the Federal Transit Administration, as part of a Full Funding Grant Agreement bolstering construction of two LRT lines.
The North Corridor project will receive $94 million to extend LRT 5.3 miles from the existing University of Houston-Downtown Station north to Interstate 45, ending at Northline Commons. The extension includes eight new stations, expansion of the existing rail operations center, and purchase of 22 LRT cars.
A second $94 million grant , targeted for the Southeast Corridor, will help fund a 6.6-mile LRT buildout from downtown Houston to a terminal in the city’s Palm Center neighborhood. This line includes 10 new stations, a new vehicle storage and wash facility, and purchase of 29 LRT cars.
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County currently operates its core 7.5-mile, 16-station MetroRail LRT line, which began operation in January 2004, between University of Houston-Downtown Station and Fannin South.
