North Central Austin Edition | April 2023

Transportation authorities will decide which of several pared-down $5 billion light rail options to move forward with. 5 options for $5 billion

NORTH LAMAR TO PLEASANT VALLEY

38TH TO OLTORF TO YELLOW JACKET

S. 1ST ST. CROSSING OPTION

MOPAC

N. LAMAR BLVD.

MOPAC

290

ST. JOHNS AVE.

183

290

GUADALUPE ST.

Metro rail segments

Light rail stations

RIVERSIDE DR.

KOENIG LN.

CESAR CHAVEZ ST.

Planned on-street Elevated Potential on-street Underground

CESAR CHAVEZ ST.

RIVERSIDE DR.

GUADALUPE ST.

TRINITY ST. CROSSING OPTION

Landmarks

The University of Texas at Austin

Texas Capitol

183

COLORADO RIVER

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

S. CONGRESS AVE.

Train depots/ storage

New bridge

PLEASANT VALLEY RD.

COLORADO RIVER

183

290

CESAR CHAVEZ ST.

SOURCE: AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY IMPACT

CESAR CHAVEZ ST.

MONTOPOLIS DR.

S. CONGRESS AVE.

RIVERSIDE DR.

PLEASANT VALLEY RD.

YELLOW JACKET LN.

CONTINUED FROM 1

Partnership—an independent gov- ernment entity created to oversee the project—said there will likely be more additions to the light rail sys- tem down the road after phase one is selected in June. The ATP announced in spring 2022 that the light rail’s price tag almost doubled in cost due to ination, ris- ing labor and construction costs, and increased real estate values. The cost exceeded what planners expect in funding through local tax collection and federal support, leading plans to be recalibrated, said ATP Treasurer Bryan Rivera. While some residents have expressed frustration with having the plan scaled back from what was ini- tially presented, it will not go back to voters to change the scope or require more taxes, said Casey Burack, exec- utive vice president of business and legal aairs for the ATP. However, state lawmakers are

North Lamar to Pleasant Valley

38th to Oltorf to Yellow Jacket

29th to Oltorf to Yellow Jacket

Comparing the options

29th to Airport

UT to Yellow Jacket

Miles of light rail

9.6-9.8

9.4-9.8

10.1

8.7

6.6

Average daily riders

39,300

29,900

28,100

26,900

20,000

Light rail stations

13-14

16-17

Aordable housing units

20,250

19,500

19,000

18,500

SOURCE: PROJECT CONNECTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

approved the tax increase for Project Connect. Voters did not approve an exact plan for Project Connect; rather, the ballot language stated the tax increase would be for a citywide trac-easing rapid transit system. The plan pre- sented by the ATP included 28 miles of light rail, several rapid bus routes and $300 million for anti-displace- ment funding to be used to keep res- idents housed along the routes. Originally, it was presented that the light rail portion would cost around

$5.8 billion, but that estimate bal- looned to more than $10 billion in 2022. Each of the redesigned options would cost about $5 billion, Rivera said, and are designed to receive fed- eral approval and funding for 50% of the project. “What was promised was a light rail system,” said Bill McCamley, execu- tive director of pro-rail group Transit Forward. “Now, it’s time to gure out how to live within the budget from the tax and federal government.”

seeking to put Project Connect back to a vote. A bill moving through the House would force a new elec- tion for the ATP to issue bonds—part of its funding plan for the system. Mayor Kirk Watson said he worked with lawmakers to improve what he called a “bad bill,” but that he expects its passage and would like to see the issue on this November’s ballot to keep rail plans moving along. What happened In 2020, nearly 60% of voters

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM