Although intended the help relieve the downtown traffic congestion, the Houston Light Rail System had a rocky political beginning. This amount of political contention gave the system unprecedented publicity and no one can deny that once operational, the downtown commuting public has made it their own.

With the population of Greater Metro Houston projected to increase by 2 million people within 20 years, and with most of the growth expected in the suburbs, regional authorities are busy studying the

Geography has determined that much of the population expansion will occur to the west of the city and a recent Fort Bend County study found that a rail line to move this increase in commuter traffic feasible. A further in-depth study is required to define the type and design of such a rail system.

Although considerable planning, negotiation and ultimate funding is still required, Missouri City and the Fort Bend County Economic Council strongly support the rail concept and use of the existing rail bed that runs along side of Hwy. 90-A. Further, although not official Missouri City policy, (if a regional commuter rail system is built) the city is said to favor a rail stop at the location of BELTWAY CROSSING, due to its close proximity to Beltway 8 and the Sam Houston Tollway.

Rail bed image to the right, clearly shows the almost 1 mile of rail access, with the dual carriage Hwy. 90 A on the Southern boundary of BELTWAY CROSSING. Beltway 8 / Sam Houston Toll Road over pass and Hwy. 90 interchange can be seen in the distance.

Almost 1 mile of rail bed and and Hwy. 90 A access (Click Image) for link to Commuter Rail Plan Proposal