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.