Houston Enters 21st Century with METRO'S Decision on 2012 Urban Transit Lines!

Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston and Afton Oaks neighborhood resident Chris Seger have led a gallant opposition effort, and earlier this week opponents warned about building the rail line over a water line, citing a study that was refuted by METRO. Then Culberson submitted a letter on Tuesday asking the METRO Board to postpone the decision and consider other options, suggesting an elevated route along the freeway. METRO Board Chair David Wolff replied that METRO already considered such options at "considerable time, effort and expense...because of your specific request that we do so." For more on this story see Kuffner's post.

But today John Culberson lost his battle to impose his will on the people of Houston. Sound minds prevailed and the current and future residents of Houston have won a victory!

Today, the METRO Board voted for the Locally Preferred Alternative alignment we have all been waiting for!

See a map and explanation by Christof Spieler.

West of Main, the alignment extends along Richmond to Cummins and then across SH59 to Westpark (avoiding the Afton Oaks neighborhood which they may later regret) and into the Westpark Park and Ride (where the Fort Bend TREK riders will be able to connect with the line).

East of Main, the alignment extends along Wheeler-to Ennis-to Alabama-to Scott-to Elgin and then into the Eastwood Transit Center. This alignment serves the University of St. Thomas, Texas Southern University and the University of Houston's main campus.

Based upon this alignment, the projected ridership and modified funding criteria this past year by the Federal Transit Agency will enable not only the University Line, but all five urban transit lines to be built as light rail transit (LRT) lines from the beginning rather than transitioning from Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines. All five lines comprise the now established 2012 urban transit system.

Houston is fortunate to have multiple economic centers within its urban city limits. These include Downtown, the Medical Center, Greenway Plaza, The Galleria, Westchase, the Energy Corridor, and Greenspoint.

The interconnectivity of these areas by light rail running through densely populated residential areas including the Universities, Midtown and Uptown, will offer Houston the opportunity to maintain economic vitality in all these areas, reduce congestion on interior arterials and improve air quality as more people become choice riders (leave their cars home by choice rather than by necessity, although a significant number of Houstonians do not have cars).

Once these vital areas of the city are connected, those of us residing outside the City Limits will have improved opportunity to reduce our commutes by connecting at one of the Transit Centers to access the system that can take us all over town. Currently, those of us in Fort Bend have the option to take a commuter service to Greenway or to the Wetstpark Park and Ride, but if we have many destinations within the City, leaving the car at home is not yet practical. Commuter rail from Fort Bend, Galveston, The Woodlands and Katy will ultimately make sense only when there is a connected urban transportation system inside The Loop.

As Houstonians become increasingly more connected to one another and the City assets become increasingly more accessible to us, we can expect Houston to witness greater unity and vibrancy. Increased use of transit will also reduce our need for bigger and wider roads that add more concrete impervious surfaces that contribute to flooding and other negative environmental impacts. Economic vitality will also be enhanced by Houston becoming a destination City with increased convention business and international visitors who currently become frustrated by the inability to get around the City.

So there are many reasons for the entire region to celebrate this day. I applaud METRO for being responsive to the multiple perspectives and concerns expressed and for taking bold steps to move forward with a responsible urban transit plan.

Much credit must also go to the many citizens and organizations that have worked tirelessly to counter misinformation and misconceptions, to present options, research urban transit systems in other cities, study the alternatives and offer feedback on their human and environmental impacts, provide public information, and bring the citizens' voices into the process.

Leading the advocacy effort was the Citizen's Transportation Coalition: .

Offering research support was the Gulf Coast Institute.

Conducting expert analysis and planning was the Houston Galveston Area Council Transportation Department:

Stay tuned for what's happening with transportation projects in Fort Bend County.