Decision on Metro's North Corridor route could come today

With all the controversy over the University light rail line, it's easy to forget about all the controversy over the rapid transit line planned for the north side — unless, of course, you happen to live near it. But we could have word on a North Corridor alignment as early as this afternoon. Maybe.

The North Corridor route would involve, at its southern end, a northward extension of the existing Red Line to the site of Metro's proposed intermodal transit center. From there, a rapid-transit bus line would continue north along North Main, then east on Boundary and north again on Fulton. The question is what will happen when the line reaches Moody Park: It could continue north on Fulton to Northline Mall, or it could veer off along Irvington, then head west along Cavalcade to rejoin Fulton (allowing the line to bypass about a dozen blocks of Fulton where residents say it would endanger historic trees). Check out a map showing both proposals here.

There are a variety of reasons for opposition to various alignments, and to the line in general: Mario Umanzor of the venerable Poppa Burger on North Main told KHOU the buses that rumble up and down the street are already empty, so he thinks a BRT line would be, too. Umanzor's also unhappy because he says Metro told him it might have to wipe out his restaurant's seating area if it widens North Main. "What am I gonna do? This is where I make my living," he said. (The line is supposed to link up to Bush Intercontinental Airport someday, in which case we assume ridership won't be a problem. But losing seating at Poppa Burger would.)

Also at issue is Roosevelt Elementary, located on Fulton just north of the Loop; either proposed alignment would take the line past the campus, and residents have said they're worried the kids wouldn't be safe. But according to Channel 11, it looks like Metro will elevate the line near the school, which — if it's true — should take care of those concerns.

Metro is scheduled to vote on a final alignment this afternoon, but as KHOU points out, the board could also vote to wait on a decision. We'll see.