METRO DELAYS RECOMMENDATION ON UNIVERSITY CORRIDOR
TO STUDY AN ADDITIONAL ALIGNMENT

METRO has received a request on behalf of U. S. Rep. John Culberson to evaluate a new alternative alignment for light rail in the University Corridor from Richmond in the vicinity of the University of St. Thomas to U.S. 59 (Southwest Freeway) to a transition point into the Westpark right-of-way. Additionally, in response to the formal scoping process METRO initiated last month, we have received a similar request from Council Member Anne Clutterbuck to do further evaluations on an alignment she has suggested. This will require a postponement of the recommendation of a preferred alignment, which METRO had planned to make August 8.

The new alignments have similar components. They utilize a portion along U.S. 59, as well as Richmond and Westpark. The proposed Clutterbuck alignment would go from the Wheeler Station west on Richmond, turning south on Mandell or Dunlavy in the Castle Court neighborhood. The line would then go west along the north side of the Southwest Freeway, along Ervan Chew Park in the Richwood Place neighborhood, then turn south onto Edloe and continuing west on Westpark to the Hillcroft Transit Center.  As this alignment option falls partially in Council District D, METRO also needs additional time for consultation with Council Member Ada Edwards, who represents that District.

METRO's engineering consultants are now working on ridership estimates as well as construction cost requirements for such an alignment. The study is expected to take several weeks.

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