By Edmond Ortiz
Construction crews are carrying out utility work above and below ground all along what will become VIA Metropolitan Transit’s first advanced rapid transit corridor.
What you should know
VIA is providing construction and detour updates to residents and merchants along the planned Rapid Green Line, from Isom Road and San Pedro Avenue through Navarro and South St. Mary’s streets and Roosevelt Avenue.
Scheduled to begin operations in spring 2028, the VIA Rapid Green Line will be a dedicated corridor featuring off-board fare collection, synchronized traffic signals, raised boarding platforms for improved accessibility, with 10-minute weekday and 15-minute weekend frequency.
VIA has closed and temporarily re-routed numerous bus routes and stops, and erected several temporary bus stops along the planned Rapid Green Line.
VIA representatives say the agency will try to minimize bus service disruption, with some construction work happening during evening hours. However, VIA officials added, motorists and pedestrians should expect intermittent lane and sidewalk closures in the areas of construction.
What comes next
VIA also recently got environmental clearance from the Federal Transit Administration to proceed with construction on its Rapid Silver Line, a west-east corridor that will be similar to the Green Line, and serve passengers between General McMullen Drive and the Frost Bank Center.
The Rapid Silver Line is presently advancing through final design, engineering and project planning, as well as the FTA’s Capital Investments Group Small Starts Agreement process.
Construction on the Silver Line is projected to start following completion of remaining federal approvals and funding commitments, VIA officials said.
“VIA Rapid is about more than moving people efficiently,” VIA Board Chair Laura Cabanilla said in a statement. “It’s about connecting every part of our city to opportunity and driving long-term economic development, growth and investment along these corridors in a way that strengthens our city for years to come.”
