Houston transit agency to seek funds for proposed transit-rail lines

Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) plans to move ahead with plans to seek funding for a proposed commuter-rail line along U.S. Highway 90A.

METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia and U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) last week penned a joint letter to Houston area citizens regarding plans for several transit initiatives, including the commuter line.
 
In the letter, the two said efforts would be made to change federal law to allow METRO to use federal dollars in previously approved transit grants on corridor-specific projects, particularly the proposed 90A commuter-rail line and the recently constructed North and Southeast light-rail lines.

"It is time for something like this to happen because the needs of mobility are extraordinary. It crosses all political persuasions and it crosses all socio-economic lines," said METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia in a statement.

The letter also said Culberson would assist the agency in securing $587 million in matching transit credits to be used toward the commuter line.