Project Updates

5-7-2010 Draft Environmental Assessment Now Available

After two years of engineering, design, environmental, and public involvement efforts, the draft Environmental Assessment for VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Fredericksburg Road Corridor is now ready for public review.

The draft EA evaluates the transportation benefits and environmental effects, as well as the social and financial implications of building the BRT vs. not building it. The draft EA concludes that would be no significant negative environmental or socioeconomic impacts associated with the proposed BRT.

VIA prepared the draft EA document in conjunction with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and it is available for public comment from May 10 – June 10, 2010. You can view the document online or visit one of many locations listed below to view the document:

City of San Antonio, Second Floor Office of the City Clerk
100 Military Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205

Balcones Heights City Hall, Administration Office
3300 Hillcrest Dr., Balcones Heights, Texas 78201

Texas Department of Transportation
4615 N.W. Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78229

Bexar County Courthouse
Recording Office/Vital Statistics
100 Dolorosa Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205

San Antonio Public Library – Central Library
600 Soledad, San Antonio, Texas 78205

San Antonio Public Library – Westfall Branch
6111 Rosedale Court, San Antonio, Texas 78201

San Antonio Public Library – San Pedro Branch
1315 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212

San Antonio Public Library – Bazan Branch
2200 W. Commerce, San Antonio, Texas 78207

VIA Metro Center – First Floor Security Desk
1021 San Pedro, San Antonio, Texas 78212

VIA Administration Bldg. – First Floor Security Desk
800 W. Myrtle, San Antonio, Texas 78212

In addition, three public meetings will be held during the comment period to allow the local community to learn more about the draft EA and to comment on it. Once public input has been received, VIA will respond to this feedback in the final EA that will be submitted to the FTA later this summer. The FTA will make a final environmental clearance decision on the BRT at that time.

6/29/09 - VIA Preparing Draft Environmental Analysis

VIA held a series of public meetings in early May to receive comments on the layouts of the proposed Westside Multimodal Transit Center and South Texas Medical Center Transit Center as well as the locations of the proposed BRT stations. Meeting attendees were also asked to comment on the BRT system's running alternatives which include no build, dedicated BRT curbside lanes and dedicated BRT center lanes. VIA has also been working with and receiving comments from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the City of Balcones Heights and the City of San Antonio on the same alternatives shown to the public.

Having considered all of this input, and reviewing the study data, VIA's project consultants are in the process of drafting a thorough environmental document for this project, which is an analysis of, but not limited to the following: socioeconomic and environmental justice, noise, potential contamination, cultural resources, and natural resources. This draft Environmental Analysis (EA) is scheduled to be presented to the VIA Board of Trustees in late July and will be sent to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and TxDOT. If this process goes as scheduled, the public will be able to review and comment on the draft EA beginning late August through September.

4/22/09 - VIA Announces Workshops on BRT Stations and Transit Centers

The project consultants (LAN and URS) have worked with federal, state, and local stakeholders; analyzed traffic data and models; conducted additional environmental investigations; and have made significant progress on BRT station and transit layout plans. Potential station locations have been identified (see map) and prototype station design is underway. Once again, it’s time for additional comment from the public. VIA will begin this process by holding meetings for potentially affected property owners (those whose property is near or adjacent to proposed BRT stations) in late April. These meetings will be used to discuss any issues associated with the locations of the proposed stations and the adjacent properties.

Beginning the week of May 4, VIA will hold a series of five public workshops to explain and receive comments on the following BRT options:

• No build (without BRT)
• Curb (bus-only or mixed traffic lane next to curb) or center (bus-only lane in center of roadway) running and associated eight BRT station
• Two proposed transit centers

These workshops will consist of an open house to allow you to review exhibits and ask questions of project team members, a short presentation, and breakout sessions to receive your comments on individual stations and/or transit centers’ site layouts. Each workshop will cover a different group of stations or one of the transit centers.

1/28/09 - Work on BRT Resumes

The VIA Board of Trustees voted on January 27, 2009 to resume work on the BRT project. A press conference was held the following day to notify the public that the 90-day delay had been lifted. New VIA Board Chair Henry R. Munoz addressed attendees at the conference. City of San Antonio District 7 Councilman Justin Rodriguez and Balcones Heights Mayor Suzanne DeLeon also took part in the announcement. A work session will be held with the VIA Board of Trustees and VIA staff to determine next steps for the BRT project.

BRT Delayed for 90 Days

On October 28, 2008 the VIA Board of Trustees voted to delay work on the Fredericksburg Road BRT project for 90 days to allow time for reports to be prepared by the City/County Transportation Task Force. Project updates will resume after the 90-day delay has expired.

8/6/08 - BRT Update

On Monday July 28th at the Woodlawn Theatre and Tuesday July 30th at Norris Center at Crossroads Mall, VIA held three meetings kicking-off the first phase of public involvement for the Environmental Assessment . The meetings were a great success, averaging about 100 citizens at each. Citizens had the opportunity to express their comments verbally or in writing.

5/27/08 - VIA Board opts for hybrid propulsion

On 5/27/08 the VIA Board authorized VIA staff to move forward with the purchase of 60-foot BRT vehicles with hybrid propulsion systems using clean diesel and electric power. This significant decision was made after extensive discussion regarding the pros and cons of using traditional diesel powered BRT vehicles versus hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles typically cost more to purchase and maintain, but offer better fuel economy, produce fewer pollutants, and are a quieter vehicle. VIA will now prepare for the competitive procurement process.