Houston: Contaminated Soil Sinks Metro Underpass Plans for Green Line

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TX: Contaminated Soil Sinks Metro Underpass Plans for Green Line

Dug Begley
Source: Houston Chronicle
Created: February 10, 2014


Feb. 10--Residents of Houston's East End supported a 2003 transit referendum that included a light rail line through their neighborhood, but they balked six years later when they learned of plans for a large overpass -- a "hideous monstrosity," in the words of one community leader -- that would cross freight rail tracks along Harrisburg.

Two years of often contentious negotiations ensued as Metropolitan Transit Authority officials responded to concerns that the overpass would split the neighborhood and inhibit redevelopment. With the city of Houston as peacemaker and financial partner, Metro shelved its overpass plan in 2011 and agreed to build an underpass, winning the wary support of residents.

But now, as work on the so-called Green Line nears completion, the discovery of a vast area of gasoline-polluted soil appears to have scuttled the underpass plan, reopening a wound that Metro, the city and the neighborhood thought had been healed. The city's $20 million stake in the project is in question, and transit officials are seeking community support for a plan likely to send the light rail trains over the Union Pacific tracks rather than under them.

The crossing is critical to extending the Green Line east of Hughes Road, planned to link downtown with the Magnolia Park Transit Center. The Green Line, which Metro is building with no federal assistance, is one of two Metro rail lines scheduled to open this fall. .....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11308187/contaminated-soil-sinks-metro-underpass-plans-for-green-line