University Line (METRORail)
Encyclopedia
The University/Blue Line (according to Go METRORail) is a planned 11.3 mi (18.2 km) METRORail
light rail
route to be designed, constructed, and operated by METRO
in Houston, Texas
.
The homeowners of the upper-income Afton Oaks subdivision opposed a proposed expansion of the University Line through the neighborhood. Ultimately METRO revised the plans so that the line does not go through the neighborhood.
An opinion was issued August 31, 2010, on an appeal made by Daphne Scarbrough on a lawsuit she raised May 23, 2007, regarding METRO's jurisdiction and its decision to align the rail down the center of Richmond Avenue. The appeal overruled all but one issue raised by Scarbrough (which it modified), upholding the original decision to give METRO jurisdiction on Richmond to lay the rails.
questions and answers page about the proposed University Line, Daphne Scarbrough and Christof Spieler asked why METRO did not include a station to serve Gulfton
, a community of apartment complexes. METRO responded, saying that the agency originally envisioned "more of an express service" in that area. However, the agency stated that it would examine the idea of including a Gulfton Station in the project scope.
, construction on this line has been delayed until a time in which funding can be secured for this line. However, the line has received some hope: METRO has reported to the local media outlets that it has received a federal Record of Decision, the final approval needed to design and/or construct the line. It is reported in the Houston Chronicle that METRO anticipates $700 million in federal funding for this line. While Go METRORail has no mention of this, METRO Solutions has posted a .pdf file of the letter from the FTA with all permission, and an inclusion of instructions to not pursue buying any light rail vehicles for this line (or for any other for that matter) until the investigation regarding the controversy over "Buy America" has concluded.
to the Cummins Station. Moving onto Richmond Avenue, the University Line will make stops at Greenway, Kirby, Shepherd, Dunlavy, and Montrose. Transfers to the Red Line will occur at Wheeler Station. Traveling eastbound on Wheeler, it will approach Almeda Station and then continue to go underneath SH 288. Shortly after, the line will travel northward on Hutchins and make a stop there. After making turns onto Cleburne, Dowling, and then Alabama, the University Line will stop at Texas Southern University
and at Tierwester. After approaching Scott Street and turning northward, the line will share tracks with the Southeast/Purple Line for a short distance before turning onto Elgin, the transfer station to the Southeast/Purple Line, and then onward to Cullen and the new terminus, as determined by Go METRORail September 2010, the Eastwood Transit Center.
*Note: Station shared with Uptown/Gold Line to provide transfers between the two lines
**Note: Station shared with Red Line to provide transfers between the two lines
***Note: Station shared with Southeast/Purple Line to provide transfers between the two lines
. The other expansion that is being considered would continue past Elgin to the Eastwood Transit Center.
METRORail
METRORail is the light rail line in Houston . It is the second major light rail service in Texas following the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. With an approximate daily ridership of 34,155, the METRORail ranks as the fourteenth most-traveled light rail system in the United States, with the...
light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
route to be designed, constructed, and operated by METRO
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County is a major public transportation agency based in Houston . It operates bus, light rail, future commuter rail, and paratransit service in the city as well as most of Harris County...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
.
Opposition
An opinion was issued August 31, 2010, on an appeal made by Daphne Scarbrough on a lawsuit she raised May 23, 2007, regarding METRO's jurisdiction and its decision to align the rail down the center of Richmond Avenue. The appeal overruled all but one issue raised by Scarbrough (which it modified), upholding the original decision to give METRO jurisdiction on Richmond to lay the rails.
Alignment Issues
In a 2007 Houston ChronicleHouston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
questions and answers page about the proposed University Line, Daphne Scarbrough and Christof Spieler asked why METRO did not include a station to serve Gulfton
Gulfton, Houston, Texas
Gulfton is a community in Southwest Houston, Texas, United States that includes a group of apartment complexes that primarily house Hispanic and immigrant populations. It is located between the 610 Loop and Beltway 8, west of the City of Bellaire, southeast of U.S. Highway 59, and north of...
, a community of apartment complexes. METRO responded, saying that the agency originally envisioned "more of an express service" in that area. However, the agency stated that it would examine the idea of including a Gulfton Station in the project scope.
Construction
Following a statement by Houston's mayor, Annise ParkerAnnise Parker
Annise Danette Parker is an American politician and the mayor of Houston since January 2, 2010. She served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and city controller from 2004 to 2009...
, construction on this line has been delayed until a time in which funding can be secured for this line. However, the line has received some hope: METRO has reported to the local media outlets that it has received a federal Record of Decision, the final approval needed to design and/or construct the line. It is reported in the Houston Chronicle that METRO anticipates $700 million in federal funding for this line. While Go METRORail has no mention of this, METRO Solutions has posted a .pdf file of the letter from the FTA with all permission, and an inclusion of instructions to not pursue buying any light rail vehicles for this line (or for any other for that matter) until the investigation regarding the controversy over "Buy America" has concluded.
Route
The route begins in the west at the Hillcroft Transit Center travelling east on the Westpark right-of-way that METRO owns. A stop at Gulfton may be added to the scope to accommodate the community of apartment complexes in the area. Continuing east, it will come to the transfer location with the Uptown/Gold Line at Bellaire/South Rice. Moving eastward will pass stops at Newcastle and Weslayan before crossing over US 59U.S. Route 59
U.S. Route 59 is a north–south United States highway . A latecomer to the U.S. numbered route system, U.S. 59 is now a border-to-border route, Part of NAFTA Corridor Highway System. It parallels U.S. Route 75 for nearly its entire route, never much more than away, until it veers southwest...
to the Cummins Station. Moving onto Richmond Avenue, the University Line will make stops at Greenway, Kirby, Shepherd, Dunlavy, and Montrose. Transfers to the Red Line will occur at Wheeler Station. Traveling eastbound on Wheeler, it will approach Almeda Station and then continue to go underneath SH 288. Shortly after, the line will travel northward on Hutchins and make a stop there. After making turns onto Cleburne, Dowling, and then Alabama, the University Line will stop at Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is a historically black university located in Houston, Texas, United States....
and at Tierwester. After approaching Scott Street and turning northward, the line will share tracks with the Southeast/Purple Line for a short distance before turning onto Elgin, the transfer station to the Southeast/Purple Line, and then onward to Cullen and the new terminus, as determined by Go METRORail September 2010, the Eastwood Transit Center.
Stations
The following is a list of proposed stations for the University Line, listed in order from west to east:| University/Blue Line |
|---|
| Hillcroft Transit Center Station Hillcroft Transit Center Station The Hillcroft Transit Center Station is the proposed terminus of Houston METRORail's future University Line located in Houston, Texas, USA. The station will serve the Hillcroft Transit Center bus station and park and ride facility, located along Hillcroft Avenue.- External links :*. Metropolitan... |
| Gulfton Station |
| Bellaire/South Rice Station* |
| Newcastle Station |
| Weslayan Station |
| Cummins Station |
| Edloe Station |
| Kirby Station |
| Shepherd Station |
| Dunlavy Station |
| Montrose Station |
| Wheeler Station** |
| Almeda Station |
| Hutchins Station |
| TSU Station |
| Tierwester Station |
| Elgin Station*** |
| Cullen Station |
| Eastwood Transit Center |
*Note: Station shared with Uptown/Gold Line to provide transfers between the two lines
**Note: Station shared with Red Line to provide transfers between the two lines
***Note: Station shared with Southeast/Purple Line to provide transfers between the two lines
Expansion
One possible future expansion would continue westward from the Hillcroft Transit Center along the right-of-way METRO owns just south of the Westpark TollwayWestpark Tollway
The Westpark Tollway, also Fort Bend Westpark Tollway, is a limited-access toll road serving western Houston and Harris County, and northeastern Fort Bend County. Construction on the facility began in 2001 and portions of the road were opened to traffic in May 2004. Construction of the roadway...
. The other expansion that is being considered would continue past Elgin to the Eastwood Transit Center.