The transit market continues to evolve as transportation agencies replace and upgrade aging infrastructure and develop new projects to improve mobility and reduce congestion. FirmoGraphs curates and maintains a database of municipal, state, and federal Capital Improvement Plans containing 100,000s of projects. These projects are categorized by region, business area, and phase, making it easy for engineering and construction professionals to find projects early, which they can add to their business development pipeline. Feel free to request a discovery meeting to view our database live in our business intelligence tool.
The VIA Rapid Silver Line is an important component of VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) program, as outlined in their 2024 Annual Business Plan. This project aims to enhance public transportation in San Antonio, Texas, by connecting key locations from Our Lady of the Lake University on the West Side, through Downtown, and extending to the Frost Bank Center on the East Side. The project was discussed during a board meeting on November 14, 2023. The Silver Line is designed to improve transit accessibility by offering dedicated lanes, off-board fare collection, and high-capacity vehicles, which are expected to reduce congestion and improve the efficiency of the city's transit system.
Funding for the Silver Line includes significant contributions from both local and federal sources, totaling $243 million. A recent approval secured $102 million in local funding from Bexar County, Texas, which positions the project to attract matching federal funds. Additionally, the Silver Line has been recommended for inclusion in the FY 2025 President’s Budget, potentially bringing in $134.7 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants program. This combined funding strategy is expected to cover around 50% of the project’s costs. During the November 2023 meeting, an economic impact analysis highlighted the potential benefits, including increased transit ridership and economic development along the corridor.
The planning phase of the Silver Line has benefited from an investment of $8.1 million from the FTA, which supports the integration of transit-oriented developments along the corridor. The project is projected to begin service by 2027 and is part of a broader ART network that includes other lines, such as the Green Line. This network is expected to play a crucial role in San Antonio's future transit system.
For AEC and construction firms, the VIA Rapid Silver Line offers opportunities across various project phases, including engineering, design, and construction management. Engaging with VIA Metropolitan Transit on this project could significantly advance San Antonio's public transit infrastructure, contributing to economic growth and sustainable urban development.
How FirmoGraphs Can Help
FirmoGraphs tracks infrastructure projects from the beginning, starting from the concept phase and following through until they reach commercial operations. This information is managed in a centralized database and presented through interactive dashboards and maps. FirmoGraphs offers valuable business intelligence to interested parties, including U.S. infrastructure contractors, developers, and engineers, to stay ahead of the bidding competition.
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