US$ 900 million approved for Texas rail infrastructure
29 November 2011
The US Department of Transportation has approved US$ 900 million in funding to support a 12 mile (19 km) extension to the rail network in Houston, Texas.
The light rail track will be extended to the north and the southeast in two separate projects and construction will include 18 new passenger stops.
The southeast line will be 5.3 miles (9 km) long and extend to the Palm Centre to the south of the City near the Texas Southern University, while the 6.2 mile (10 km) northern extension will run to its Northern Transit centre in the Independent Heights district.
The two projects being funded are already under construction, and are scheduled for completion in 2014.
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, "We need to invest in strong transportation systems like this one to lay a solid foundation for future economic growth."
