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East End Corridor Update
In the wake of recent media reports, METRO reiterates its commitment to taking the East End light-rail line to the Magnolia Transit Center. It is not a question of if, but when. Our long-range plan (to go to Gulfgate Mall and beyond) makes it necessary to resolve this sooner rather than later.
For the short term, METRO will build the light-rail line up to the UPRR, until all the parties can resolve the challenge of creating a grade separation (an elevated or underground structure). Grade separation for this railroad crossing is at the top of the list for the Gulf Coast Freight Rail District and METRO is committed to contributing its share of the cost.
How did things evolve to where they are today? Here's a timeline.
- 2003 - METRO Solutions is approved by voters in a Referendum.
- 2005 - METRO proposes Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) technology for four corridors (North, East End, Southeast and Uptown) as an interim step as we understood from the FTA that we would not qualify for light-rail according to the federal funding eligibility criteria. BRT, a technology using buses running on and off a guideway, would not present a challenge for the East End line because buses have been crossing and continue to cross the freight railroad at grade (i.e., at road level).
- 2006 -
- UPRR sends first letter to METRO indicating it would not allow an at-grade crossing.
- METRO Board of Directors approves Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for East End. The LPA refers to both the alignment and the technology. The alignment selected (Harrisburg) had overwhelming community support. The technology at this point was still proposed as BRT and therefore, still did not present a challenge.
- 2007 -
- UPRR sends second letter to METRO disallowing an at-grade crossing.
- Gulf Coast Freight Rail District is created and coordination with METRO begins.
- METRO learns that the new federal funding eligibility criteria better enables its projects to qualify for light rail technology. Since the agency always maintained its commitment to provide light rail sooner than later, METRO took this opportunity to propose all the corridors to have light rail technology. It is at this point (October) that crossing the freight rail road became more of a challenge because UPRR had already stated its position not to allow light rail to cross the freight rail road at grade.
- 2008 - METRO began working with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to appeal UPRR's decision.
Web chat transcript available online
Earlier this week (Wednesday, April 2), we conducted our third live Web chat with METRO's President and CEO Frank Wilson. The topics were the new METRO Airport Express service we're planning to launch in August, and HOT lanes - high occupancy toll lanes in which single occupant drivers are charged a fee to drive on an HOV lane during peak hours.
Click here to read a transcript.
METRO Solutions benefiting local small business
METRO is on track to meet its aggressive goals for utilizing small and disadvantaged businesses on its light rail expansion project. This upbeat progress report was made by METRO President & CEO Frank J. Wilson to the METRO Board of Directors in late March.
Click here to read news release.
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April 4, 2008
Volume III, No. 10
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713.343.4354
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5330 Griggs Rd.
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713.343.4350
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