December 9, 2025 - TRA Newswire -

The top county administrator the encompasses Texas' capital city, Travis County Judge Andy Brown, wants to see traffic relief on the I-35 travel corridor between Austin and San Antonio and is leading the charge for regional rail service.

Judge Brown, along with Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, created the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (TPRAC) last year, to raise awareness of the need for intercity passenger rail service in the crowded traffic corridor. 

In his most recent thread post on Instagram, Brown pointed out how more Texans are riding trains and that a top priority for his office is to focus on establishing service between ABI (Austin Bergstrom Airport) and downtown San Antonio's Amtrak station by studying how Texas State Highway 130 could be utilized for rail service.

Travis County Commissioners approved a $125,000 feasibility study in October for HNTB to look at possible routes along SH130 and Interstate 10.

A rail line would offset traffic on I-35, which county commissioners project will get worse with ongoing I-35 construction and with a continued population surge.

The current population of some 4.5 million between the Austin and San Antonio areas is expected to pop up to 7 million by 2030.

Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Transportation is conducting a feasibility study utilizing existing rail right-of-way between the cities and that report is due to be issued by the end of Spring 2026. 

Judge Brown said its possible a rail line could be build on publicly-owned land before I-35 construction is completed in the next 7 to 8 years.

Brown's TPRAC committee will get an update next week on the SH130 study, hear from Brendon Wheeler with the North Central Texas Council of Governments on their rail activities, take questions and determine next steps.