FTA 02-05
Contact: Paul Griffo, Tel.: (202) 366-4043
Monday, January 31, 2005

$2 Million Grant From U.S. Department of Transportation Will Move Houston Light Rail Project Forward

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) will continue its environmental impact studies on light rail service, thanks to a $1.96 million federal grant, Federal Transit Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn announced today. The studies funded through this grant are a critical next step as METRO proceeds with their METRO Solutions Transit System Plan.

“In November 2003, when voters approved the referendum for the Transit System Plan, they made a commitment to public transportation solutions,” said Administrator Dorn, “and METRO made a commitment to voters to make good on their plans. With this grant, the Houston metropolitan area can look forward to continuing progress on the expansion of bus services and the extension of METRORail.”

The grant announced today will be used to study future rail expansions in METRO’s service area. Specifically, the grant will finance Alternative Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement Studies or Corridor Studies, as appropriate, for 10 corridors (North-Hardy, Southeast-Universities-Hobby, Uptown-West Loop, US 90A, Inner Katy, Outer Katy, Harrisburg, Tomball-SH249-Railroad Right of Way, Westpark, and SH 288).

By funding these studies, METRO will be able to continue to expand transportation services in Harris County. METRO currently provides transportation in 15 cities with a fleet of over 1,500 buses and vans. METRO opened its first light rail transit service with a fleet of 15 cars on Jan. 1, 2004. The $300 million line was constructed entirely with local funds.

On Nov. 4, 2003, voters approved the referendum for METRO’s Transit Systems Plan, which includes 72 additional miles of extensions and new segments of METRORail and the expansion of bus services. Administrator Dorn added, “This grant will keep METRORail on track with its ambitious plans for light rail expansion.”

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