VIA details Silver Line, Green Line and Better Bus timelines; utility coordination delays construction

VIA Metropolitan Transit staff told the Transportation Infrastructure Committee on March 18 that the agency remains on track to open the Green Line by the end of 2027 and the Silver Line by the end of 2029, but that subsurface utility investigations and federal grant timing have delayed some construction milestones.

The Silver Line — described by VIA staff as the ‘‘VR Rapid Silver Line’’ or East–West corridor — is estimated at 7.3 miles with 26 stations, 10‑minute weekday frequency and a year‑of‑expenditure cost of $289,200,000. Manchiri Akalkotkar, VIA’s major capital program officer, said the project’s financial plan assumes roughly 50% federal funding (about $145,300,000) and local commitments including roughly $100,000,000 from Bexar County. ‘‘The total cost is estimated to be 289,200,000.0 in the year of expenditure dollars,’’ Akalkotkar said.

Why it matters: the Silver and Green lines, together with a new maintenance facility and VIA’s Better Bus plan, are intended to increase frequency and travel speed across San Antonio’s central corridors and to expand access to jobs and groceries for residents with limited auto access.

Key project details and schedule

- Silver Line: 7.3…