SAN ANTONIO | City and Metro Transportation Thread

[SproutingTowers]

TXDot and opponents always tell people how expensive to build a monorail with all the build out with pillars. But yesterday I drove down from Selma to Loop 410 on I-35 seeing a forest of concrete columns on both sides. You could imagine if the columns were lined up then would stretch from the airport to downtown and probably cost less since only require two beams for two trains for each direction versus three lanes of vehicle traffic.

[aggie2008]

TOD policy passed!

[Keegan-B-SATX]

Originally Posted by SproutingTowers

TXDot and opponents always tell people how expensive to build a monorail with all the build out with pillars. But yesterday I drove down from Selma to Loop 410 on I-35 seeing a forest of concrete columns on both sides. You could imagine if the columns were lined up then would stretch from the airport to downtown and probably cost less since only require two beams for two trains for each direction versus three lanes of vehicle traffic.

You and I think exactly the same. Every time I hear people saying "Its too expensive" or "Elevated Trains are impractical" are fools. I drive by the new 1604 & I-10 interchange being built every day. And I see hundreds of new columns and miles of flyover bridges being built and think the same thing.

I have also thought that high speed rail or local light rail could easily work if built over current existing freight rail lines. No new right of way or eminent domain would be needed you simple build up.

[Keep-SA-Lame]

Originally Posted by aggie2008

TOD policy passed!

Kind of surprised it didn't get derailed considering how pissed and organized some neighborhood groups were. Good for the City Council!

[Keep-SA-Lame]

https://sanantonioreport.org/san-antonio...velopment-around-the-planned-green-line/

Council’s action does not automatically rezone any properties, but property owners can now apply to change their zoning to the new TOD designations. Ultimately, those changes are approved by City Council after a formal, public process.

This seems bad, right? What's the point of this if the city council has to approve every change? Isn't that how zoning currently works? If I currently owned a parcel along the Green Line pre-TOD, couldn't I just apply to rezone to IDZ or something similar?

[aggie2008]

Originally Posted by Keep-SA-Lame

https://sanantonioreport.org/san-antonio...velopment-around-the-planned-green-line/



This seems bad, right? What's the point of this if the city council has to approve every change? Isn't that how zoning currently works? If I currently owned a parcel along the Green Line pre-TOD, couldn't I just apply to rezone to IDZ or something similar?

I think what passed is VERY watered down and not great.... but better than nothing. IDZ could accomplish somethings, especially the "Transitional TOD" IMO, but for the more intense uses I think the TOD will be helpful. I think the thing that annoys me the most about the plan is that a lot of the allowed properties are literally just the ones on the line, it should really be any within walking distance to a stop. Should be quarter or half mile. But this is a starting place at least.

[aggie2008]

Hey all - there is a public event coming up to explore the new Green Line route. I'm a part of the group putting this on and would love to see some of you out there! Let me know if you have any questions.

Discover the intersection of public transit, art and community connection during the Council to Keep SA Moving’s ARTe Hop event! 🎨🚍

Join us for a unique experience featuring public transit, local art and a fireside chat to learn more about the infrastructure improvements to revitalize Market Square and how this is making way for art and placemaking downtown.

Event details:
🎟️ $15 registration fee (covers food, non-alcoholic drinks, curated experiences and more)
🗓️ Saturday, May 31 | 12–4:30 p.m.
📍 VIA Advanced Rapid Transit Project Office (7067 San Pedro Ave.)

RSVP by May 28 and view the full event schedule at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arte-hop-tickets-1337432369219?aff=oddtdtcreator

[jkill34]

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...y-passenger-rail-austin-san-antonio.html

Saw this on the Austin transportation thread.

It seems as if Austin is really giving this some thought and some actual study behind it.

From the lack of public transportation surrounding MSA San Antonio, I'm not surprised that SA is not taking this initiative on. Just wondering if there is any participation on the cities behalf at all.

[El Santo]

A dedicated passenger rail between San Antonio and Austin would be awesome. I do think the best way forward, though, is to lay some new dedicated rail track.