San Antonio — Long Range Plan Includes Rail

Rail Transit Online, September 2009

A draft 25-year comprehensive transportation plan for the San Antonio region prepared by consultants LakeFlato Architects for VIA Metropolitan Transit suggests a multi-modal mix of light rail, streetcar and bus rapid transit.

The proposal, released at a public meeting on Aug. 31, lists up to 16 corridors in the urban area that could be served by streetcars and light rail, including Commerce, Broadway, San Pedro, Fredericksburg, Austin Highway, Roosevelt and Zarzamora.

However, streetcars would probably be used in the central city with LRT reserved for the longer, outlying routes. Rail transit would connect major traffic generators such as residential neighborhoods, employment centers and entertainment venues.

"I'm elated because I think we're very close to coming up with something
actionable," VIA board Chairman Henry Munoz told the Express-News.

A final version of the plan could be ready by next May and will probably include ridership estimates and potential funding sources. Jacobs Engineering has already begun an inner-city streetcar feasibility study for VIA which should be finished in November, and Munoz said he hopes a project can be announced by year's end.