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
S. 1ST ST. CROSSING OPTION
MOPAC
N. LAMAR BLVD.
MOPAC
290
ST. JOHNS AVE.
183
35
35
35
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.
35
RIVERSIDE DR.
GUADALUPE ST.
TRINITY ST. CROSSING OPTION
TRINITY ST. CROSSING OPTION
Landmarks
The University of Texas at Austin
Texas Capitol
183
COLORADO RIVER
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
35
S. CONGRESS AVE.
Train depots/ storage
35
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.
71
YELLOW JACKET LN.
N
N
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 to receive in funding through local tax collection and federal support, leading plans to be recalibrated, ATP Treasurer Bryan Rivera said. 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
13
13
10
Aordable housing units
20,250
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 presented by the ATP included 28 miles of light rail, several rapid bus routes and $300 mil- lion for anti-displacement funding to be used to keep residents 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, executive director of pro-rail group Transit For- ward. “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
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