San Antonio — Build North-South First

December 2013

The Express-News reported that VIA Metropolitan Transit staff recommend construction of a north-south starter line, before undertaking the east-west alignment.

The estimated cost of the north-south alignment is $163.2 million, including track, streetcars, and an operatings and maintenance facility. It is anticipated this route would carry as many as 500,000 riders annually.

The agency plans to apply for Federal Small Starts funding for as much as $75 million for the frist phase of the project.

The east-west line would be built later. The originally quoted construction schedule of starting in 2015 and opening the line in 2017 would be the same for the single line as was envisaged for both routes.