East End/Green Line (METRORail)

The East End/Green Line^[4] is an under construction 3.3 mi (5.3 km)^[3][5] METRORail light rail/streetcar^[1] line that will be designed, constructed, and operated by METRO in Houston, Texas. The first seven-station segment of this line is currently undergoing testing and is expected to open in April 2015.^[6][7] The two-station eastern end of this route has been delayed, and is not expected to open before 2016, at the earliest.

Route

Between Theater District and EaDo/Stadium stations, the Green Line shares tracks with the Southeast/Purple Line. In downtown, the eastbound track runs along Capitol Street, while its westbound counterpart runs along Rusk Street. On both of these streets, trains operate in mixed traffic using the rightmost lane.^[1] Transfers to the Red Line will occur at the Fannin Station. Before crossing US 59 the 2 tracks converge onto a dedicated right-of-way along the south side of Texas Avenue to EaDo/Stadium Station. East of EaDo/Stadium Station, the East End/Green Line and the Southeast/Purple Line diverge, with the Purple Line turning south and the East End Line continuing east.

The Green line continues in a dedicated right-of-way on the south side of Harrisburg Road, which transitions to the center of Harrisburg Road at Middleton Street. It remains in the median to its eastern terminus at Altic/Howard Hughes Station.

In the future, a six-block long bridge will carry the line over freight rail tracks located on Harrisburg and Hughes, extending the line eastward to the Magnolia Transit Center. Construction of this bridge began in March 2015.^[8]

Construction

Phase I of construction was due to be completed by spring 2012, with Phase II scheduled to be complete by summer 2012,^[9] and a planned opening in 2013 or 2014. By fall 2010, it became clear that a late 2013 opening was impossible, and the line would not open until late 2014.^[10]

Problems with non-MetroRAIL construction projects downtown, as well as with the axle-counters used to regulate light rail traffic, subsequently pushed back the opening of the line to April 2015.^[6]

Opposition to east end of line

As early as about a month after construction began for this line, it was reported that there opposition existed to this line, particularly because of the installation of the six-block long bridge meant to avoid the freight railroad at the east end of the line.^[11] Further opposition to this line arose when area resident began to notice a loss in business in areas where construction was taking place.^[12] Subsequently, Metro decided to build the western portion of the line in the meantime, while the construction of the portion of the line between Altic/Howard Hughes Station and Magnolia Transit Center Station was deferred.

An overpass segment meant to avoid the freight railroad track and to complete the line between Altic/Howard Hughes Station and Magnolia Transit Center is expected to take up to 18 months to complete and broke ground in March, 2015.^{[13][14][15][16]}

Stations

The following is a list of planned stations for the East End Line, listed in order from west to east:^[17]

*Note: Station shared with Red Line to provide transfers between the two lines

**Note: Station shared with Southeast/Purple Line to provide transfers between the two lines

Expansion

A possible expansion for the line would bring it south from the Magnolia Transit Center to converge with the Southeast/Purple Line at a station yet to be named, and moving along the same right-of-way to Hobby Airport.^[18]

See also

• Southeast/Purple Line (METRORail)

References

• Knight, Paul (January 22, 2010). "Light Rail Construction On The East End Line Not Going Smoothly For Businessowners." Houston Press.

External links

• METRO Official Website
• METRO Solutions
• Go METRORail