METRO's Board of Directors today approved six route options with which to continue more refined analyses for the University Corridor.  There are now three route alternatives for the eastern segment of the corridor:

There is an equal number for the western segment, as follows:

• Richmond/Westpark (Cummins): Richmond from Wheeler Station to Cummins to Westpark, terminating at Hillcroft Transit Center
• Richmond/Westpark (Greenway Plaza): Richmond from Wheeler Station to Greenway Plaza Drive A to Westpark, terminating at Hillcroft Transit Center
• Richmond/U.S. 59/Westpark (Kirby): Richmond from Wheeler Station to Montrose to north US-59 frontage road (elevated) to east of Kirby to Westpark, terminating at Hillcroft Transit Center

Staff members originally worked with multiple alignment alternatives, which were proposed to METRO during the scoping of the project and at the initial stage of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) process.  Even as staff eliminated alternatives that did not meet the purpose and need of the project, there were still over 50 options left.  In order to continue with the DEIS process a more refined level of analysis is needed and it would not have been productive to further study refinement on all 50-plus route options.

METRO's Board of Directors are expected to select a single Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) in the spring of 2007, when the DEIS process would be completed and in circulation.

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