Is Metro expanding underground?

11:19 AM CDT on Thursday, June 24, 2004

By Jeremy Rogalski / 11 News

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Many of our freeways are above ground, but could Houston’s next light rail route be below ground?

A subway system is being talked about.

But first, Metro wants to hear from you.

With light rail now running north-south, Metro hopes to build an east-west line downtown. The question is where.

“Keep it on the street for consistency. This one’s on the street, why not keep the next one on the street,” said a Metro rider.

“I think it would cause more traffic problems than we have now," said another rail rider.

Initial plans call for a street-grade line down Capitol.

Increased congestion is the downside, but the plus is price.

Three to four times less than a subway line, which would run under Walker, according to initial plans.

Another problem with a street level line on Capitol is there’s no station to transfer to on the main street line.

But flooding is the big concern about going underground.

Despite the flooding of downtown’s tunnel system during Tropical Storm Allison and even the rainout of the current light rail earlier in June, the subway idea already has the backing of the Downtown Management District, which calls it the best option for Houston’s long-term future, whatever the cost.

“To say that you can’t build an underground facility is incorrect. You can,” said Metro Executive Vice President John Sedlak.

“If you have to do it on the cheap, just because that’s the only thing we think we can do then I think you have a decision whether we build it at all,” said Robert Eury, Downtown Management District.

Construction on the southeast line is set for 2007. The north line extension is set for 2006.

The next rail meeting is Thursday night at TSU.