The METRO University Corridor bus rapid transit line has received a $150 million funding recommendation from the federal government.

The largest bus rapid transit project planned for Houston has received the backing of federal transit officials, who have pledged an initial $150 million to fund a service that will help residents get to and from several of the city’s colleges and universities.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced last week that it is recommending federal funding for 18 large-scale rapid transit rail and bus projects in 11 states. The only such initiative in Texas is the 25.3-mile, 41-stop bus rapid transit line planned by the Harris County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO), which aims to expand connectivity and access to residential, business, and educational centers in underserved areas. Houston, helping to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution caused by individual vehicles and traditional gas-powered buses.

As part of President Joe Biden’s FY 2024 budget proposal, which must be approved by Congress, the METRO University Corridor Project is to receive $150 million, contingent on reaching a grant agreement and METRO meeting required benchmarks. The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.565 billion, with the FTA promising to cover 60 percent of that cost through its capital investment grant program. METRO will cover the remaining 40 percent, valued at $626 million, through bond financing.

“This is great news from the Biden administration,” METRO President and CEO Tom Lambert said in a statement to Houston Public Media. “I want to thank the FTA Administrator, the FTA Six Regional Administrator and their staff for helping METRO reach this stage in the METRORapid University Corridor project process. considered for this funding.”

The University Corridor line, with the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, St. Thomas University, and Houston Community College as stops along the planned route, was a key selling point for METRO when Harris County voters approved $3.5 billion in bond funding for a regional transportation provider. services in 2019. The route will extend from the Tidwell Transit Center on the northeast side of the city to Westchase Park & ​​Ride on the west side, crossing communities located on the east and south sides of the city, including Denver Harbor. , Greenway/Upper Kirby, Gulfton, Cashmere Gardens, Midtown, Montrose, Sharpstown, and the Second, Third, and Fifth Districts.

METRO began work on the project in 2021 and says on its website that construction on the University Corridor line could begin by the end of 2024 and service could begin by 2028. month, with another session scheduled for 5-7 pm on March 21 at Houston Community College’s Northwood campus, 6010 Little York Rd.

Bus Rapid Transit will use dedicated bus-only lanes as well as level boarding and off-board tolling, while METRO will operate 47 electric buses, each 60 feet long. According to the FTA project summary, the University Corridor line will operate seven days a week for 20 hours a day, with buses running at 6-minute intervals during peak hours and at 12-minute intervals during off-peak hours on weekdays and weekends.

Among the nine transit projects nationwide that will be selected for federal funding for the first time, the University Corridor initiative is one of seven focused on bus rapid transit. In total, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg recommended $4.45 billion for 18 different projects for fiscal year 2024.

“Transportation connects people to work, schools, loved ones and more,” Buttigieg said. “We are proud to provide this funding to expand transit across the country, which will create well-paying construction jobs and give people better opportunities to get where they need to go.”