San Antonio’s Silver Line Gains Approval from Biden Administration

San Antonio’s Silver Line Gains Approval from Biden Administration

Government Funding for Public Transit Expansion

In an exciting development for the city’s public transportation network, San Antonio’s Silver Line project has gained approval from the Biden Administration. The incorporation of the Silver Line into the White House’s list of top transit projects set to receive funding for the fiscal year 2025 was revealed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in a statement on Monday.

In both good and bad news for local leaders, however, they have yet to organize their portion of the funding needed to move forward with the east-west bus rapid transit line.

The Silver and Green Lines: Enhancing Local Connectivity

The Silver Line is part of San Antonio’s Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) which, combined with the planned north-south Green Line, aims to provide reliable and efficient public transportation across different corridors of the city.

The federal government has already committed funds for the VIA Metropolitan Transit to construct the Green Line, running from San Antonio International Airport to the Spanish Colonial missions, with completion anticipated by the fall of 2027.

As for the Silver Line, the project aims to create a 7.3-mile route starting on North Gen. McMullen Drive on the West Side and ending at the Frost Bank Center on the East Side. DOT has proposed $134.7 million for the Silver Line, and an additional $109.7 million investment in the Green Line. This will ensure both lines are included in President Joe Biden’s fiscal year 2025 funding requests from Congress.

Bus Rapid Transit: A Practical Alternative to Rail

San Antonio’s choice of bus rapid transit (BRT) over the rail system has sparked debates among local leaders and transportation experts, who question whether BRT can bring the same variety of developmental investments as rail systems do. Regardless, the Biden Administration has shown interest in both lines for their potential to connect underserved residents to jobs, education, and other transportation, highlighting the democratizing potential of this project.

In Search of Local Funding

Despite enthusiasm from the federal government, local leaders have historically struggled with securing local funding for transit in San Antonio. The local match for Green Line funds was made viable through federal pandemic relief in combination with revenue from the sales tax approved by voters in 2020. However, local funding for the Silver Line remains elusive.

Potential avenues for securing local funding include partnership with Bexar County, as the proposed end-point for the east-west route is the Frost Bank Center which is county-owned.

With total project costs estimated at $289.2 million, securing local funds for the Silver Line is a significant challenge. If realized, the project promises to revolutionize public transit and economic development in San Antonio, enhancing the connectivity and daily lives of the city’s residents.