METRO Silver Line/Post Oak Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

The METRO Silver Line / Post Oak Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor is the first dedicated-lane BRT system in Texas and a cornerstone of METRO’s Moving Forward Plan, which includes more than 75 miles of future BRT corridors. Spanning approximately five miles across the City of Houston, METRO, TxDOT, and HCTRA rights of way, the Silver Line delivers high-capacity, reliable transit service in one of Houston’s most active commercial districts. The line connects two of the region’s busiest transit hubs: Uptown Transit Center and Northwest Transit Center, providing connectivity to major METRO routes and improving access to destinations across the Houston area.

Ardurra served as the program manager and lead designer, overseeing feasibility studies, corridor planning, and full design development. With no established BRT guidelines at the time, Ardurra developed METRO’s first comprehensive set of BRT design and systems standards, now used as the foundation for future corridors including the Inner Katy BRT lines.

Ardurra designed all communications and ITS infrastructure along the corridor, including fiber connections to TranStar; CCTV surveillance; ticket vending machines; variable message signs; card readers; and public address systems. The team also coordinated early with utility owners to reduce conflicts, crafted construction phasing strategies to minimize impacts on adjacent businesses and travelers and developed a tree relocation and mitigation plan to preserve the mature oak canopy along Post Oak Boulevard.

As the owner’s representative during construction, Ardurra worked closely with METRO’s operations, safety, and IT teams to support testing, systems integration, and a smooth transition into full BRT operations from day one.

Key Highlights:

• First BRT corridor with dedicated lanes in Texas – providing rapid transit for bus users

• Transit Centers to provide transit connection points and parking for users

• New BRT design and systems standards created for METRO’s future network

• Utility coordination and construction phasing reduced community and business impacts

• Green corridor preserved through tree relocation and mitigation planning