roadrunner Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metrop...an/5573343.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 The New Starts program allocates funding, usually 50 percent of capital costs, for new mass transit projects. The two lines are estimated to cost $1 billion. Metro plans to build two other lines, East End and Uptown, using sales tax revenue, but expects to apply later for another $500 million in federal aid, largely for the controversial University line.The U-line will get done regardless of federal funding, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 The New Starts program allocates funding, usually 50 percent of capital costs, for new mass transit projects. The two lines are estimated to cost $1 billion. Metro plans to build two other lines, East End and Uptown, using sales tax revenue, but expects to apply later for another $500 million in federal aid, largely for the controversial University line.The U-line will get done regardless of federal funding, right?I'm confused. The U Line isn't even funded yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I'm confused. The U Line isn't even funded yet?no that's why this whole process is so important. without funding METRO can't proceed. much of the engineering hasn't been done either which is why dirt hasn't been turned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDeb Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Engineering on the U-Line is in progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 What are the odds that any of these lines break ground before 2009? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Engineering on the U-Line is in progress.yep. this is the line METRO wants to get done no matter what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 And as is usual with these teaser-headline articles, not a single thing has been commited yet. Two years after construction was supposed to begin for the first new lines of the plan approved in 2003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Timmy Chan's Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thank you DeLay and Culberson! Oh wait, did I say "thank"? I meant **** YOU DELAY AND CULBERSON! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 A big KUDOS goes out to Sen Hutchinson. I don't often praise Republicans, but her work for public transit in Texas deserves recognition.It's a shame that a native of DFW has to be the one to step to the plate for Houston! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 A big KUDOS goes out to Sen Hutchinson. I don't often praise Republicans, but her work for public transit in Texas deserves recognition.When METRO hires her husband as a lobbyist, hopefully he has a little pull with his wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
713 To 214 Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 A big KUDOS goes out to Sen Hutchinson. I don't often praise Republicans, but her work for public transit in Texas deserves recognition.It's a shame that a native of DFW has to be the one to step to the plate for Houston!She'll be running for governor soon. I'm sure she'll want you to remember this deed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I read a transcript of a Q&A session with Metro and they were talking about starting work on the first two lines in June (East End and North Lines I think) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorAggie Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 When METRO hires her husband as a lobbyist, hopefully he has a little pull with his wife.Didn't you make this same point on the Chron forums for this article? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALMSP Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I can't help but laugh when they think these will be all up and running by 2012............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Is there a city that has a light rail network as extensive as Houston is attempting to do without any subway or commuter rail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Is there a city that has a light rail network as extensive as Houston is attempting to do without any subway or commuter rail?Phoenix maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Phoenix maybe?I thought it only had one line like Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 (edited) I don't see any heavy rail, just light. But 20 miles long. Sounds similar to DART http://www.valleymetro.org/METRO_light_rai...tentions-NW.jpg Edited February 28, 2008 by lockmat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I don't know if I brought this up before (probably have, in a thread many moons ago), but what WAS a good database for lightrail is lightrail.com (he let it go to pot after his wife died, understandably) and www.lightrailnow.org. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJVilla Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 A big KUDOS goes out to Sen Hutchinson. I don't often praise Republicans, but her work for public transit in Texas deserves recognition.It's a shame that a native of DFW has to be the one to step to the plate for Houston!I agree with this sentiment. Independent of her running for governor, you got to wonder what the heck our local "reps" are thinking or influenced by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
713 To 214 Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I can't help but laugh when they think these will be all up and running by 2012.............I've been waiting for that reality to sink in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfre81 Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 We're looking at mid-2013 at the earliest, methinks.I know we want grade separations at every intersection and subways and all that fine stuff, but how is that going to get paid for? Can we first just get a basic rail line federally funded? We're still sort of at the stage where we have to convince the feds that Houstonians will ride the damn thing, no matter how well the Red Line has done... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister X Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 (edited) Oh 214, You've been waiting a LONG time for reality to sink in. Just Kidding. I'm not starting up, I promise. I just couldn't resist. Since we've already waited 70 or so years to see a bunch of new light rail lines appear in Houston, and we have somehow managed to survive and grow as a city, what's another few years. I won't blow my brains out if ALL the lines aren't running by 2012. As long as this stuff gets under construction by then I'm o.k. with it. What's the rush anyway? Light rail is mostly for show anyway isn't it? Are they officially behind schedule now? How many years did it take to construct the Main St. Line once they broke ground? 2 years? I still think it's possible (however unlikely) to have all the new lines going by the end of 2012. That's still almost 4 years off. Edited February 28, 2008 by Mister X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Is there a city that has a light rail network as extensive as Houston is attempting to do without any subway or commuter rail?Portland and Denver to name a couple. Much of Portland's system runs in-street, just like Houston's Red Line.The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are also looking to expand their initial light rail line, which is very similar to Metro's Red Line, although it does have a very short subway segment to get it under the airport. The expansion would take light rail service from Downtown Minneapolis east along the University Avenue corridor into St. Paul with a mostly street-running line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfre81 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 The trolleys and some of BART in San Francisco runs in the street too. I never saw what the big fuss was about, other than people too stupid or distracted to read the signage around the rail crossings so they make illegal left turns in front of the train. Good for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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