San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit reached a major environmental milestone for the VIA Rapid Silver Line, its second Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) line.

The VIA Rapid Green Line is currently under construction, with service expected to begin in April 2028.

VIA’s Environmental Clearance

The agency was notified that the Silver Line received environmental clearance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). 

The determination, conducted as part of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) process, is a critical milestone that allows VIA to move forward with the project.

The milestone builds on years of community engagement and technical planning, reflecting VIA’s commitment to delivering modern transit solutions that support economic mobility and regional growth.

“This is an important step forward for the Silver Line and for San Antonio’s transit future,” said VIA President/CEO Jon Gary Herrera. “With NEPA determination in place, we are one step closer to delivering a fast, reliable east-west connection that links customers to what matters most — jobs, education, health care, and each other.”

VIA is seeking a Small Starts Grant Agreement from the FTA Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program. VIA received funding through the FTA’s CIG New Starts Grant Agreement in late 2024 for the VIA Rapid Green Line.

VIA Silver Line

The VIA Rapid Silver Line will operate as a 7.3-mile east-west corridor from the Frost Bank Center on the East Side to General McMullen on the West Side, intersecting the Green Line downtown and connecting to the broader VIA system.

Once complete, the corridor will operate at 15-minute or better frequency, feature 18 new stations, pedestrian- and transit-priority improvements, and frequent all-day Silver Line service with off-board fare payment and synchronized traffic signals to improve safety, accessibility, reliability, and travel times.

The VIA Rapid Silver Line is currently advancing through final design, including detailed engineering and project planning, as well as the FTA’s CIG Small Starts Agreement process. Construction is anticipated to begin following completion of the remaining federal approvals and funding commitments.

VIA Rapid is a key part of VIA’s voter-approved Keep San Antonio Moving Plan and will transform mobility across San Antonio through high-frequency, high-capacity service, said officials.

VIA began receiving voter-approved sales tax funding earlier this year and is leveraging it to improve service systemwide and to support construction of the VIA Rapid Green Line.