Austin’s Urban Transportation Commission, which advises city departments on transportation-related matters, met last week and continued discussions around the possibility of expanding the modes of transportation accessible on the future Lady Bird Bridge. The topic was also discussed at an Austin Transit Partnership public design workshop, and the city will continue the discussions into the […]
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 inTransit
Should buses be allowed on a new light-rail bridge over Lady Bird Lake?
Local officials overseeing Austin’s $7 billion expansion of public transit plan to launch an international competition to solicit designs for a light-rail bridge over Lady Bird Lake. Among the many questions swirling around the look and purpose of the structure, one has emerged as perhaps the most contentious: Should Capital Metro buses be allowed to […]
Posted inCity Hall
Staff reports on relocating Waller Creek Boathouse
When construction of new transit lines gets underway, buildings, streets and other parts of our urban environment will naturally be torn down. One structure that needs to make way for the Project Connect Blue Line is the relatively new Waller Creek Boathouse, home of the Austin Rowing Club. When City Council members approved the joint powers […]
Posted inTransit
Project Connect agreement sees third and final approval
On Nov. 17, the Austin Transit Partnership board approved the Joint Powers Agreement, which was created to delineate the roles of each of the agencies involved in administering the multibillion-dollar transit project, Project Connect. ATP was the last of the three governing bodies – besides Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the city – to pass […]
Posted inTransit
Project Connect update shows early work on schedule for construction
With City Council having recently approved the joint powers agreement that affirms the roles of the city, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Austin Transit Partnership in Project Connect’s completion, last week’s Mobility Committee meeting was focused mostly on updates on the many facets of the $7.1 billion project. Sam Sargent, director of strategy for […]
Posted inTransit
Two down, one to go: Cap Metro passes joint powers agreement
At the Nov. 10 meeting of the Capital Metro Board of Directors, members emerged from a closed-door executive session to pass the joint powers agreement. The purpose of the joint agreement between the city, Capital Metro and the Austin-Transit Partnership is to delineate the roles and responsibilities of each of the three governing bodies to […]
Posted inAustin
Transit jobs, affordability concerns added as priorities for area job training plan
Job training leaders are emphasizing the rising cost of housing in the Austin area as one of the pain points that can be solved through education and rapid placement with major employers in need of workers. Workforce Solutions Capital Area is putting the finishing touches on its new Hire Local campaign, which is an update […]
Posted inTransit
Government leaders delay key vote on roles around multibillion-dollar Project Connect transit expansion
Three layers of government scheduled to approve a crucial document for the city’s $7.1 billion expansion of public transit have delayed the vote to another day, because the meeting went too long. Austin City Council along with the governing boards of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Austin Transit Partnership – a local government corporation created […]
Posted inTransit
Leaders to cement Austin’s multibillion-dollar transit rollout amid concerns from local advocates
Almost one year after Austin voters authorized the $7.1 billion expansion of public transit known as Project Connect, three layers of local government are scheduled today to finalize details of how the massive buildout of transportation infrastructure should be developed. The formalization of roles and responsibilities, described in bureaucratic terms as a joint powers agreement, or JPA, […]
Posted inTransit
Cap Metro board endorses $50M contract for MetroRapid projects
On Monday, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors approved a resolution authorizing the execution of a five-year, $50 million group of construction contracts for transit facilities. Part of Project Connect, the primary goal of these particular contracts is to facilitate MetroRapid construction projects. The funding comes from the Capital Metro Five-Year Capital Improvement […]
Posted inTransit
Council seeks clarity ahead of end-of-month transportation vote
During a joint meeting of Austin City Council and the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors, members questioned Capital Metro staff on several issues, ranging from additional public input opportunities to language in a proposed ordinance that could potentially waive regulations for transit developments. Council Member Ann Kitchen called for additional meetings for community […]
Posted inTransit
Project Connect panel looks at planning, equity concerns attached to transit system
With the city and county moving forward on the assortment of transit and community development projects included in Project Connect, leaders involved want community members to realize the many other public and private interests that play into the multibillion-dollar effort. The local real estate and development community that gathered for a recent Urban Land Institute […]