Light rail to expand to UH
Houston City Council approves Phase 2 plan with 13-2 vote; Metro to break ground in Sept.
By Ruth Rodriguez
Issue date: 6/24/08 Section: News
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"The light rail will mean all Third Ward residents will have an outstanding public transit system available to take them throughout the city," Councilwoman Wanda Adams said. "It will also help the economic development for the residents and businesses of the area."
Plans for the Metro Solutions Phase 2, which will break ground in September, call for the Southeast Corridor line to run on Scott Street from Leeland Street to Wheeler Avenue, where it will turn east along UH. Plans for the University line include a route along Wheeler Avenue from Main Street to Ennis Street, going around Texas Southern University, where it will join the Southeast Corridor line at Scott Street.
The council members' 13-2 vote, which included the approved groundbreaking of the first of five light rail lines to stretch the span of Houston, was met only after weeks of discussion and with the condition Metro delivers the rail lines with the deadline, alignment and service promised.
The consent agreement between the council members and Metro outlined the construction of 30 miles of light-rail lines split between the North, East End, Southeast, Uptown and University Corridors.
Though Councilwoman Jolanda Jones and Councilman Mike Sullivan were the only two council members to oppose the rail approval, Councilwoman Melissa Noriega's approving vote was cast with concern.
"We have to be considerate of residents and small businesses with this type of construction," said Noriega. "Metro has to be held accountable and build the light rails within the approved routes in a timely manner."
Noriega said the transportation agency must be completely transparent in its actions with Metro Solutions Phase 2.
While assuring access to TSU, the rail construction, slated for completion in 2012, poses a possible threat to the small businesses and residences along the slated route for the Southeast Corridor, which will span from Bagby to Griggs.
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