March 21, 2023 - TRA Newswire - 

A billion dollars today doesn't buy you as much as two years ago. That's why Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) unveiled five options for the public today at a Austin Public Library open house for its expansive light rail system called Project Connect.

With rising construction costs and Austin's higher-than-the-sky real estate valuations,  ATP is slimming the original plan down to five scope options including more street running and shorter routes. The agency is asking for community feedback as it works towards making a recommendation to the community and before the ATP Board decides in June. 

“This is an exciting day for Austin because our city is close to building a core Austin Light Rail that is equitable and helps our growing mobility needs,” Greg Canally, executive director of ATP, said. “After decades of failing to make progress on light rail, in 2020 nearly 60% of voters sent a clear message that they want to invest in transit and specifically, light rail. I am proud of the transparent and data driven process ATP has conducted over these last months to develop these options. I encourage people to share their opinions with us because that will inform ATP’s decision-making process as we move towards a staff recommendation in mid-May.”

The five options presented to the community can be viewed at https://www.projectconnect.com/get-involved.

ATP was created by the City of Austin and Capital Metro when voters overwhelmingly approved a 2020 transit election. ATP is an independent entity, accountable, and responsible for the financing, design, construction, and overall implementation of Project Connect.

“Austin has always been a city fueled by the power and passion of its people,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. “This light rail system is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help folks throughout Austin access jobs, healthcare, childcare and everything that our city has to offer. Light rail has been an elusive goal for Austin for well over two decades and now, thanks to the community working together, it’s really going to happen.”

Over the next six weeks, ATP will hold a transparent process that will rely on community feedback to help inform its staff recommendation. A final option will be chosen by the Board of Directors in June. Feedback can be submitted by sending an email to input@atptx.org or through the website and social media along with additional in-person opportunities to be announced. 

"The Project Connect Community Advisory Committee has worked closely with the Austin Transit Partnership to shape a transparent and inclusive community engagement process that will highlight the voices of communities who have historically been left out of such conversations. ATP has shown a real commitment to advancing a light rail program that will serve core transit riders in an equitable manner, while creating opportunities for future extensions and improvements." – Awais Azhar, Chair, Project Connect Community Advisory Committee

Additional information on the proposed options:

• On-street: 38th Street to Oltorf Street to Yellow Jacket Lane

• On-street from 38th Street on Guadalupe Street to Oltorf Street on South Congress Avenue and Yellow Jacket Lane on East Riverside Drive

• Potential to extend endpoints to 45th Street to the north or St. Edwards Drive to the south

• Lady Bird Lake crossing options at South 1st Street or Trinity Street.

• On-street: North Lamar Boulevard to Pleasant Valley Road

• On-street from North Lamar Transit Center on North Lamar Boulevard to Pleasant Valley Road on East Riverside Drive.

• Lady Bird Lake crossing options at South 1st Street or Trinity Street

• On-street: 29th Street to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

• On-street from 29th Street on Guadalupe Street to east of Yellow Jacket Lane on East Riverside Drive

• Mainly elevated from State Highway 71 to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

• Lady Bird Lake crossing at Trinity Street

• Partial elevated: 29th Street to Oltorf Street to Yellow Jacket Lane

• On-street from 29th Street on Guadalupe Street to south of 8th Street

• Elevated from south of 8th Street on Guadalupe Street to east of Auditorium Shores with elevated stations

• On-street from east of Auditorium Shores to Oltorf Street on South Congress Avenue and Yellow Jacket Lane on East Riverside Drive

• Lady Bird Lake crossing at South 1st Street

• Partial Underground: University of Texas to Yellow Jacket Lane

• Underground from 20th Street on Guadalupe Street (UT) to south of 8th Street with one underground station

• Elevated from south of 8th Street on Guadalupe Street to east of Auditorium Shores with elevated stations

• On-street from east of Auditorium Shores to Yellow Jacket Lane on East Riverside Drive

• Lady Bird Lake crossing at South 1st Street

  
  

  
  

  Photo credit: CapMetro