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Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, Texas |
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FTA TELLS CONGRESS IT WILL ADVANCE HOUSTON'S UNIVERSITY RAIL CORRIDOR TO NEXT PHASE OF FEDERAL PROCESS AS PROPOSED BY METRO The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has notified Congress it intends to approve Houston’s University Corridor into the next phase of FTA’s New Starts program. The approval would allow METRO to enter into the Preliminary Engineering (PE) phase and subsequently apply for a record of decision that will allow METRO to finalize construction plans. The news, although expected, was warmly received at METRO headquarters where experts are working to meet stringent federal requirements involved in the financing and building of an extensive rail expansion program approved by voters in 2003. The FTA cites, as reason for approval, the improved transit travel time and reliability due to the light rail operating in a semi-exclusive right of way. The creation of the University line, the FTA notes will increase transit ridership among commuters who travel five miles or more along Richmond Avenue. This would, in turn, cut the rate of increase of vehicular travel in the transit corridor. Primary markets for the University line include Houstonians commuting from west and southwest homes to jobs near Greenway Plaza and academic institutions. The project includes construction of an 11.3-mile, double-track, 19-station University Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. METRO will buy 32 light rail vehicles to service the project whose western segment travels Richmond Avenue to Cummins Street, crosses Hwy 59 to Westpark and then to the Hillcroft Transit Center. University's eastern portion follows Wheeler-Hutchins-Cleburne-Dowling -Alabama streets to the University of Houston. The eastern segment would link with the Southeast Corridor LRT line (currently under construction) on Scott Street and proceed north to Elgin Street to the Eastwood Transit Center. ### Editors note: This NewsFlash corrects the reference to the eastern segment of the University Corridor as reported in a NewsFlash dated 11/04/2009
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December 7, 2009
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Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, Texas |
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