House approves measure paving way for light rail in the Valley

McALLEN — The Texas House passed a bill Tuesday that could lead to light-rail networks in Texas counties along the Mexican border.

The bill, which unanimously passed the House, is now headed to the state Senate for approval.

“We have made another giant step towards the realization of a dream that many south Texans share,” said the bill’s author, state Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez, D-Weslaco, in a statement.

While House Bill 2510 would not fund a light-rail project along the border, it does allow individual counties to create light-rail boards to determine the feasibility of setting up the commuter rail network.