Tagged: Transportation

The controversial San Antonio streetcar project is moving ahead without help from the private sector. On Thursday city council voted to remove money from property owners that would have amounted to about $15 million.

Even though there is tens of millions of dollars coming from the county, $40 million from the city, and newfound money from VIA, Dist. 10 Councilman Carlton Soules said he believes that if people want streetcars, they should be allowed to help fund it.

On Friday, motorists in the Loop 1604 and Hwy. 281 corridors received an early Christmas gift in the form highway connectors. The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority has opened the last two connectors for the first phase of the project; westbound and eastbound 1604 onto 281 south both opened to traffic at noon.

Michelle Martinez with the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority said the contractors were able to complete the connectors a little ahead of schedule.

The Vía Metropolitan Transit Board voted to increase regular fares on Tuesday night, but it doesn’t mean customers will immediately see increased costs.

A local governmental approval committee consisting of Bexar County Commissioners, members of the San Antonio City Council and members of the suburban council of mayors will still need to give the green light before fares go into effect on Feb. 1.