Multibillion-Dollar Austin Rail Project Clears Key Review Hurdle
After clearing a federal hurdle, the city of Austin is one step closer to financing for the construction of its estimated $8B rail project, the Austin Business Journal reported.
The funding could pay for approximately half of the new 9.8-mile light rail system.
The Austin Transit Partnership announced Jan. 16 that the Federal Transit Administration issued a record of decision on the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) regarding the light rail route.
The record of decision by the FTA, a key step in securing financing, means the ATP’s efforts adhere to the National Environmental Policy Act.
According to the ATP, this is the first major transit initiative to finish its FEIS within two years. In a statement, ATP CEO Greg Canally said the process to get the FEIS done in this accelerated timeline has created best practices that could be replicated for other large-scale projects, Community Impact reported.
The FEIS reportedly stated that the rail project, which is planned to run through the city center and along Riverside Drive, is a necessity due to the city’s lack of transit infrastructure and climbing travel demand.
It also stated that the line, which would include 15 new stations, could eventually see 29,000 trips made each weekday.
A ride along the entire route would take less than 30 minutes.
Austin’s light rail project will reportedly require permanent acquisitions of about 85 acres throughout the city, with 62 of those acres dedicated to an operations and management facility near the intersection of U.S. 183 and State Highway 71.
The ATP must acquire about 27 full parcels and 261 partial sites. This move would displace 71 businesses, though there is a business assistance program being planned to support those negatively impacted by the buildout.
The project is set to finalize three contracts this year for the buildout of the route and stations, the construction of the operations and management facility, and the train cars. Acquisitions will begin in 2027, followed by construction, with completion slated for 2033.
The incoming buildout will include a bridge over Lady Bird Lake with pedestrian access, an urban greenway on Riverside Drive, and the conversion of Guadalupe Street (from 22nd Street to 27th Street) into a transit-only corridor.
The project is expected to drive economic development in Austin, increasing housing along the route from 22,000 to 50,000 units, Canally told the ABJ.
The FTA's decision also locks in several changes to the rail project plan, KUT News reported. This includes the elimination of a parking garage at 38½ Street and Guadalupe Street, which has drawn some local opposition.
There is still significant opposition to and several lawsuits against the ambitious rail system. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed legal challenges in court questioning the ATP's authority, and the Texas Legislature has once again taken up a bill to repeal the taxation mechanism the city of Austin is using to fund the project.
This is just one of several large infrastructure projects in motion in the metro area to keep up with Austin’s growth. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport currently is undertaking an expansion project that will nearly double the number of gates at the airport.
