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August 2010
Letter of Notice to Recipients of the FEIS for the University Corridor Light Rail Transit Project (PDF)
July 2010
University Corridor Record of Decision (PDF)
January 2010
University Line Fixed Guideway in Houston, Harris County, Texas
Final Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Evaluation
Download PDFs below:
METRO Tree Mitigation Plan click here to download flyer
December 2009
FTA Approves University Line Light Rail Transit Project Advancement to Preliminary Engineering Phase. Click here to view the details.
February 2009
University Line Arts in Transit Community Visioning Workshops were held in January and February 2009 to garner input for art at the the University Corridor Light-Rail stations. Residents and business owners attended two open workshops to discuss ideas for art that celebrates the community's image, identity and architectural heritage. Lively discussions resulted in further refinement of the themes and appropriate styles for the stations. Then a smaller group of the participants volunteered for the District Selection panel, which will select artists from the artist pool. These artists will then develop art elements for the University Corridor Stations.
Board modifies Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)
On July 24, 2008, METRO's Board of Directors approved a modification to the University Line Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). The modification to the previously approved alignment would have the light rail proceed east on Wheeler, turn north on Hutchins, east on Cleburne, north on Dowling and then east on Alabama to the University of Houston Main Campus (see map of modified alignment).
The modification only affects the eastern segment of the University Corridor and came after neighbors and property owners of that area, together with the elected officials who represent them, suggested a change so that the alignment would not go through Wheeler all the way to Ennis (see map of previous alignment).
After meetings with members of the community and active involvement of METRO Board members, a consensus was reached that drew praise from Washington Terrace residents. This new alignment would:
October 2007
Board Selects Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)
METRO's Board of Directors adopted a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA), which includes the alignment or route for the University Corridor.
August 2007
 Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO), on behalf of the Federal Transit Administration, is advising the public of the availability of the approved Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) covering the proposed construction of transit improvements in the University Corridor which extends approximately 10 miles east from the Hillcroft Transit Center to the vicinity of the University of Houston (UH)-Central Campus or the Eastwood Transit Center within the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas. The document was prepared in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.
The proposed project involves the construction of a fixed Guided Rapid Transit (GRT) primarily within existing roadway rights-of-way and the METRO-owned Westpark railroad right-of-way. The proposed project would improve mobility, accessibility, and system linkages to the activity centers in the University Corridor through a high capacity transit service. The social, economic, and environmental impacts of the proposed project have been analyzed in the DEIS.
The DEIS documents the purpose and need for the project, presents a discussion of the alternatives considered, and addresses the anticipated social, economic, and environmental effects that might result from implementing the No Build, Transportation System Management (TSM)/Baseline, and Build Alternatives within the University Corridor. The DEIS will also serve as the primary document to facilitate review of the project by Federal, state, regional, and local agencies, decision-makers, and the public. For the Build Alternatives, acquisition and physical destruction and/or removal of properties contributing to a potential historic district could occur depending on the alignment selected. Mitigation would depend on the alignment selected and on the affects on potential contributing structures within the areas of potential effect (APE) determined by the Texas Historical Commission. The proposed action also has the potential to impact land use, single- and multi-family residences, businesses, noise and vibration levels, cultural resources, and hazardous/regulated materials.
How to request copies the DEIS
A bound copy of both volumes of the DEIS may be purchased for $155.00 (plus $6.30 for shipping and handling) or a CD of the document in Adobe Acrobat format for $4.50 (plus $1.00 for shipping and handling).
Where to find bound copies of the DEIS
Copies of the DEIS are also available for review in hard copy format at: Houston Public Library, (Julia Ideson Building), 500 McKinney, Houston, TX 77002; Houston Public Library, Jungman Branch, 5830 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77057; Houston Community College Central Campus, 1300 Holman 2nd Floor, Houston, Texas 77004; Clayton Library Center of Genealogical Research, 5300 Caroline, Houston, Texas 77004; Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library, 4100 Montrose, Houston, Texas 77006; Smith Neighborhood Library, 3624 Scott St., Houston, Texas 77004; Rice University Fondren Library, 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77251; Texas Southern University Robert James Terry Library, 3100 Cleburne Street Bldg 103, Houston, Texas 77004; University of Houston M.D. Anderson Library (the Main Library), 114 University Libraries, Houston, Texas 77204; University of St. Thomas Doherty Library, 1100 West Main, Houston, Texas 77006; and West University Branch Library, 6108 Auden, Houston, Texas 77005.
Notice of Public Meetings and Public Hearing
METRO conducted two open houses on August 13, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Select Greenway Plaza, 2712 S.W. Freeway, Houston, TX 77098 and on August 14, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Avenue, Houston, TX 77004 to provide members of the community an opportunity, prior to the Public Hearing, to ask questions regarding the information in the document. A Public Hearing was held on August 27, 2007, at South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002. There was an open house from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the Public Hearing commenced at 2:00 p.m.
March, April 2007
DEIS public meetings
As METRO staff and consultants prepared the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the University Corridor, public input was sought regarding environmental issues in a series of Public Meetings held in March 2007. In addition to meeting activities, an extensive, detailed video was presented and is now online. If you wish to print the slides, this text (PDF file) version available here.
December 2006
METRO Board approves short list of University Corridor routes
After a detailed briefing of the work developed by staff and consultants, METRO's Board of Directors approved a short list of routes for the University Corridor. With this approval METRO will be able to conduct more refined analyses of only six route alternatives (three on the eastern segment and three on the western segment) as opposed to more than 50. The more refined analyses will allow METRO to continue and finish the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) process required to obtain federal funding for this project.
A news release was issued about METRO's Board action in December 2006.
August 2006
METRO'S Board of Directors briefed on Scoping Summary
On Wednesday, August 23, consultants briefed METRO's board members during the Future Programs Committee meeting. The following materials were presented.
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Scoping Summary
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Alignment Comparison
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Map - Alignment Comparison
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July 2006
METRO delays recommendations on University Corridor
During update meetings in July, METRO expected that a staff recommendation to the Board of Directors would take place on August 8. On Friday, August 4, 2006 METRO issued a news release advising of the delay of the recommendation on a preferred alignment for University Corridor.
July 2006
METRO provides update on University Corridor
METRO has worked diligently to develop workable concepts based on comments received over the previous months and during the recent scoping meetings. Conceptual drawings have been produced showing more details as they pertain to each alignment option. We can now answer some of the important questions raised by concerned community members.
In keeping with the promise made to attendees of the April meetings - that we would provide an opportunity to peer over our shoulder at the results thus far - we have arranged several opportunities to convey this progress. METRO staff and the conceptual drawings will be available at a series of open house sessions.
Click on any of the selections below for the materials displayed at the meetings:
- A slide show presentation was presented at the July 18 session, which focused on the Western segment of University Corridor.
- A slide show presentation was presented at the July 24 and 25 sessions, which focused on the Eastern segment of the University Corridor.
- An aerial map of the entire corridor (1:100 scale) showing all alignment options and the dimensions of the right-of-way. Portions of this map were available, as follows:
June 2006
Scoping Meetings
Scoping Meetings were held on June 27 and 29. If you were unable to attend University Line Scoping Meetings, you may click here to view the material displayed.
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Click on the
image to read
the NOI as it
appeared on the Federal Register.
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May 2006
Environmental Process Begins
On Monday, May 22, 2006, the Federal Register published the Notice of Intent (NOI) allowing Scoping Meetings to begin for the University Corridor. Scoping is one of the first steps in the NEPA Process.Scoping Meetings to begin for the University Corridor. Scoping is one of the first steps in the NEPA Process.
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