The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will host two open meetings on the future extension of light rail.

Metro staff and consultants will be on hand to describe the alignments under consideration for the extension of the new rail line now operating from the University of Houston-Downtown to south of Reliant Park. Metro representative will also discuss the environmental study process currently under way on the extension project.

The extension is the next step in an overall plan approved by Houston-area voters in November 2003. The first extension will cover a 7.1-mile section from downtown Houston to Loop 610 at Griggs Road. It will begin construction in 2007 and start operating in 2010.

The first meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 30 at Pilgrim Community Center, 3118 Blodgett St. The second meeting will be held on April 1 at the Business Technology Center, 5330 Griggs Road.