Houston Light Rail System Construction, USA

The Light Rail System is being developed in Houston, Texas (USA) by the city Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro).

Due to board its first passengers in 2004, Metro's Downtown to Astrodomain Light Rail Line will serve as the foundation for future light rail extensions.

HOUSTON LIGHT RAIL PROJECT

The proposed Light Rail project is expected to provide a higher level of transit in the city of Houston, Texas (USA). The rail will follow the Main Street Corridor, linking Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, Hermann Park, the Texas Medical Centre and the Astrodomain (site of a new football stadium and new exhibition facilities).

The light rail will link Downtown with other major venues, but it is also believed to have the potential to become the cornerstone of a regional rail system. The research team (Metro's 2025 Plan Team) has identified seven travel corridors around the region that will need some form of high capacity transit in the future. Alternative analysis will be conducted in several of these corridors in 2001. Once the studies determine the best mode for each corridor, Metro will go to the voters with a regional transportation plan.

The project is also believed to support and enhance ongoing economic development and redevelopment within the corridor. It is hoped that the light rail link will encourage investors in building new shopping areas and other entertainment around the busiest stations.

Any potential environmental hazard will be mitigated through design to avoid negative impact. The construction will be managed to reduce or avoid disruption or inconvenience to the usual mobility.

PROJECT TIME SCALE

The Major Investment Study was completed in August 1999 and Metro Board unanimously selected light rail alternative in September of the same year. Preliminary engineering began in January 2000 and the final design/construction is planned to begin during the year 2001. The light rail should board its first passengers by the year 2004.

DOWNTOWN TO ASTRODOMAIN LINE

Metro is building the $300 million Downtown to Astrodomain line with local funds, without new taxes or debts. Preliminary engineering on the 7.5-mile Downtown to Astrodomain Light Rail line is nearing completion and the project construction will begin soon in the year 2001.

Metro's light rail vehicles will feature a modern low floor design, providing direct access without stairs from the station to the vehicle. The trains will be electrically powered by overhead wires. The line is a two directional rail service with stops at 16 stations, most about one-half mile apart. Station platforms will be approximately 240 feet in length to accommodate the maximum dimension available between crosswalks in Downtown city blocks.

From Wheeler to Commerce, the centre of the tracks will be 21 feet apart. Where the rail line crosses Braysand Buffalo bayous, existing road bridges will be modified or rehabilitated to accommodate the tracks. The southernmost station will be adjacent to a new Park & Ride facility with approximately 1,200 parking spaces.

A detailed environmental assessment of potential impacts was conducted concurrently with preliminary engineering. The assessment ensured that the extent and definition of impacts was carefully considered in defining measures to avoid, eliminate or minimise potential impacts.

LEAD CONTRACTORS

The main contractors are listed below:

Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville from Houston, Texas, in charge for final architectural/engineering design, design support and construction. Their contract is of about $3 million.

PBS&J (Houston, TX) has been awarded a $2.3 million contract for final architectural/engineering design, design support and construction management.