On the heels of completing its first study into the Central Corridor, Project Connect has begun exploring and receiving input on viable transit options that it hopes will one day ease traffic congestion in the Austin area. Phase 2 of the project is charged with exploring alternative modes of transportation, as well as the possible […]
Project Connect
This project brought together a series of Central Texas transportation agencies looking to build high-capacity transit options in the region in the wake of CAMPO’s 2035 regional transportation plan. The City of Austin’s much-discussed 2014 Urban Rail plan was part of Project Connect’s efforts.
Posted inLocal Government, Transportation
Capital Metro endorses Highland-East Riverside rail alignment
The Capital Metro board officially backed the first phase planned by Project Connect Wednesday. The board voted 7-0 on the resolution with Frank Fernandez off the dais. The plan is the same one Project Connect finalized late last year that would connect the Highland Mall area of Austin with downtown and East Riverside by rail. […]
Posted inLocal Government, Transportation
Commissioners postpone resolution to support Project Connect
There was no resolution this week from Travis County Commissioners about supporting Project Connect, the high-capacity, cross-agency transit plan for the Austin metropolitan area. The court mainly heard from supporters of Project Connect Tuesday. “I have been in this community just over three years now,” said Linda Watson, President and CEO of Capital […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Transportation
Council endorses Lone Star Rail but hangs on to the money
Lone Star Rail will move forward with the backing of the Austin City Council, though not with any of the city’s money just yet. In a 6-1 vote, the City Council authorized the city’s participation in the Lone Star Rail District. But it set its funding for the project temporarily at zero. The plan […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Transportation, Uncategorized
Council endorses Highland Mall-East Riverside Urban Rail route
Austin City Council members Thursday night endorsed a plan by transportation officials to pursue an urban rail line that extends south from the Highland Mall region, through the city center, and east out East Riverside Drive. The move begins a process that could end in a multi-million dollar bond election over rail for the city […]
Posted inTransportation
Spelman: plan for Lamar rail after Highland-Riverside is done
Project Connect’s Central Corridor Advisory Group voted Friday to endorse the Highland-East Riverside sub-corridor as the first route for Austin’s proposed Urban Rail line. The City Council is poised to vote on the matter this Thursday. But the Highland route, which basically runs from Highland Mall along Airport Boulevard and Red River Street through […]
Posted inTransportation
Project Connect defends decision to bypass Lamar corridor for transit
Almost two weeks after Project Connect recommended the Highland and East Riverside areas to move forward to the next phase of transit expansion in Austin, it opened itself to feedback on the plan last Tuesday. And what most people in the room, on the phone, online or watching TV wanted to know was, “Why […]
Posted inTransportation
Arguments begin over Highland-East Riverside route for Urban Rail
The latest urban rail suggestion for the city would link north central Austin, in the Highland Mall area, to the downtown and stretch the same transit service to the East Riverside corridor. According to Project Connect representatives, that route would best serve future transportation needs in the area. However, critics of Project Connect say […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Transportation
City Council gets review of progress on Urban Rail Program
Austin City Council members received a set of updated Urban Rail statistics Tuesday. The presentation offered a glimpse at the ongoing process as staff and Mayor Lee Leffingwell did their level best to drive home the point that a route for the project — still subject to voter approval via a probable 2014 bond election […]
Posted inDevelopment, Transportation
Proposal explores Urban Rail funding options through TOD zones
An item proposed by Council Members Mike Martinez and Chris Riley that, in part, creates a restricted fund to draw development-based dollars from construction around rail stations drew some concern from Council Member Laura Morrison Tuesday. If approved, the Martinez and Riley hope that the fund, accessible to Capital Metro, would help pay for a […]