FTA approves Houston LRT project advancement
The University line is projected to generate 49,000 boardings per day by the year 2030 and will provide a connected network serving Houstonians commuting from east, west and southwest to the city's principal destinations and activity centers.
The Federal Transit Administration notified Houston Metro it approves the advancement of the University Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT) project into the Preliminary Engineering phase of the FTA's New Starts program. The agency can now move forward with engineering activities as publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and approval of a Record of Decision are eminent.
"This is a great holiday present for Houstonians. The New Year is going to be full of activity as the University corridor has achieved another major milestone." said Frank J. Wilson, Metro president/CEO. Work along three other light rail transit corridors, also approved in the 2003 voter referendum, is already underway.
The University Corridor is an 11.3-mile double-track, 19-station, LRT line. Implementation of the University LRT line is projected to improve public transit travel times among commuters, making it more competitive with the automobile.
The University line is projected to generate 49,000 boardings per day by the year 2030 and will provide a connected network serving Houstonians commuting from east, west and southwest to the city's principal destinations and activity centers.
More Rail
Penn Station Transformation Advances with Design Unveiling
The historic redesign will transform the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere from the tracks to the street level, creating a more efficient, cleaner, and functional experience for more than 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors.
Read More →
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Advances into Major Construction Stage
New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined leadership from the MTA, elected officials, and Harlem community leaders to break ground on the major construction stage of the transformative Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project.
Read More →
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →
Caltrain Board Approves FY27 Budget, Endorses Efficiency Measures
The move ensures Caltrain service will continue operating as usual in the near term, but long-term financial challenges remain for the rail agency absent a new revenue source.
Read More →
Alstom Acquires Delaware Site to Support Amtrak NextGen Acela Fleet
The company is investing more than $55 million to acquire and improve the property and will employ approximately 100 people at this site once it is operational.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
California Selects Team for Nation’s First True High-Speed Rail Track and Systems Contract
The board action follows completion of track installation at the 150-acre southern railhead in Kern County, which will serve as the staging and distribution hub for high-speed track and systems installation.
Read More →
Seattle's Sound Transit Launches New Sounder Railcars into Service
Alstom manufactured all the cars under a $46.5 million contract and came into service in anticipation of summer crowds for soccer and baseball.
Read More →
Alstom Partners With Universities to Build Rail Talent Pipeline
The partnerships include a new engineering scholarship fund at Alfred State College in Western New York and collaborations with transportation centers at the University of Pennsylvania and New York University.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →