Latest news with #AustinTransitPartnership
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Austin officials reassure public on light rail project
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five years ago, Austin voters said yes to a bond package that would fund the construction of a light rail line through the city, but Project Connect has yet to break transit leaders met this week and want to reassure the public that it is happening. The Austin Transit Partnership, the group in charge of bringing light rail to Austin, held a luncheon this week to provide an update on its efforts. 'The Austin Transit Partnership released their draft environmental impact statement, which is a huge milestone for us to continue forward with Project Connect and Austin Light Rail,' said Ashika Ganguly, the executive director of Transit Forward. 'However, we're still seeing a lot of ongoing outside threats to the project into Austin light rail, specifically legislation attacking Austin local control and our ability to build light rail here in the city and ongoing lawsuits and the threat of federal funding being taken away,' Ganguly said. ATP said they're hitting milestones consistently, that work is happening, and that they're still on track to start construction in 2027. 'One of the comments we get in that effort… all the time is, get moving, but let's get the project under construction. Somebody even said, let's have less meetings. And I said, 'Well, I hear you and amen to that. But at the same level, us going out and talking to the community is part of the process,'' Austin Transit Partnership CEO Greg Canally said. CapMetro is also a key player in the future of Austin transit, working alongside ATP and the Texas Department of Transportation. 'Most people don't realize how much work there is to do between idea and actually like turning dirt and tearing up the streets,' CapMetro CEO Dottie Watkins said. 'I need every single one of y'all to tell 10 people about what's going on with Project Connect and that things are going forward and that we continue moving forward,' said Watkins. Watkins said a key to fewer traffic headaches amid a series of construction projects, like the I-35 Capital Express, is to explore your options. 'We will be encouraging a lot of folks to use the bus. We'll be encouraging folks to work from home. We'll be encouraging folks to try Vanpool, to try the commuter rail, to try alternate routes, so there will be a lot of solutions coming out to that,' said Watkins. ATP also released new renderings of the light rail system and how it could look. 'I have a vision of Austin in 2035 with a fully functional light rail and continued service improvements to our buses, our bike share, and all of Cap Metro's other services, and I see that vision. I know everyone who's going to be in this room today sees that vision, and we are ready to make it a reality,' Ganguly said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Texas bill targets Project Connect, other tax rate election-funded capital projects
Editor's note: The above video is from Jan. 10, 2025 and is related to new design elements flagged in the Project Connect draft environmental impact statement. AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new bill filing in the Texas Legislature could prohibit tax rate elections from funding multi-billion-dollar capital projects — including those like Austin's Project Connect light rail program. Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway) filed House Bill 3879, also known as the Texas Taxpayer & Voter Defense Act. The bill is intended to 'close two perceived loopholes in the law,' including the use of tax-rate elections to fund substantial capital projects as well as a lack of limits on how much a project can change in scope or costs once voters have weighed in on it. KXAN reached out to both Austin Transit Partnership — the organization overseeing the delivery of Project Connect — as well as the city of Austin for comment regarding the bill filing. We will update this story once we've received a response. Troxclair's bill calls on an amendment to the Texas Tax Code to add a definition for projects that 'materially deviate' from what voters approved, including those that 'make a significant change in carrying out the purposes state to voters on a ballot proposition.' Those significant changes defined in the bill include substantial changes in purpose, the financing structure for the purpose, an increase of 33% or more in the actual or project costs of the purpose as well as a sizable reduction in the project's scope or scale. PROJECT CONNECT NEWS: New stations, urban greenway detailed in Austin's light rail impact draft While the bill's language doesn't specifically name Project Connect, Troxclair did address Austin's light rail program in her release Thursday. She said this would be a statewide policy applicable to all municipalities within Texas, and Austin wouldn't be an exception. We don't want this happening in any city in Texas. It sounds to me like Project Connect is a mess. The OAG's office won't approve their bonds. The Texas Solicitor General has been assigned to a lawsuit against the project's financing plan. Local taxpayers and Democrat elect officials are suing to stop the project. The Trump administration will likely not grant them any federal funding. And the project voters approved has been totally thrown out and replaced with a miniature light-rail line, with no downtown tunnel, no airport connection.' Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway) Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt is anticipated to file the same bill in the Senate, Troxclair confirmed in her announcement. 'This is simply unacceptable,' Bettencourt said in the release. 'Every session, we work hard to cut property tax burdens, yet local governments find new loopholes. The law I wrote in 2019 doesn't grant use of M&O collections for long-term debt issuance – this legislation will make that clear.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major US city announces ambitious plan to combat endless traffic gridlock: 'Momentous'
Eight years may sound like a long time — but for Austinites sick of endless gridlock and rush hour traffic, a new light rail project just might be worth the wait. And now, after a brief delay, the Austin Light Rail project is finally moving forward, CBS Austin reports. The proposed electric light rail will span ten miles with fifteen stations, linking several popular areas of the city, including the University of Texas campus. "This momentous transportation investment will offer an all-new transit experience, running reliably every 5 to 10 minutes to connect people to major job centers, education hubs, and iconic Austin destinations," the Austin Transit Partnership announced in its latest update. Would you want EV-charging roads installed in your town? Sign me up Depends how much it costs No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Residents are equally as optimistic about the benefits of the project. "Austin desperately needs a better transportation system," Jose Villegas told CBS. He had tried using the existing bus system but found it unreliable: "It would be nice to see a different kind of technology, different kind of mobility. They're always arriving ten minutes early or twenty minutes late, so you always have to be guessing." Another resident, Ben Elvis Mettin, echoed Villegas' frustrations, calling the highway "an early form of torture." Not only will the rail help create public transit options for those who don't want to be bound to the expense and the inconvenience of cars, but it will also benefit the environment. Electric railways are key to reducing the planet-warming pollution from car traffic. Taking cars off the road also benefits residents by drastically improving air quality and reducing noise pollution, both of which have been linked to multiple negative health impacts. While the design phase is expected to last for the remainder of 2025, the ATP team is optimistic that construction will begin by 2027 and the project will be complete by 2033. "Eight years is a long time," Villegas acknowledged, "but if it's going to give us a better future for all Austinites and people who move here, might as well, right?" Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Austin Light Rail: Project could bring jobs to Austin
The Brief The Austin Light Rail project is on track to expand routes across the city With this project, it could bring more jobs to the Austin area Small business owners are getting the opportunity to network for the project AUSTIN, Texas - As a $7 billion plan to bring light rail service to Austin moves forward, many local businesses and workers are hoping to help build it. On Wednesday, the Austin Transit Partnership hosted an event for those businesses, and also gave an update on the project. Timeline "We want Austin to help us build this for Austin," said Austin Transit Partnership Executive Vice President for Design and Lindsay Wood. The Austin Light Rail is on track. The 10-mile street-level railroad will stretch from 38th and Guadalupe Streets though the UT campus and into Downtown, then down Congress to Oltorf. Another branch will head east on Riverside Drive to SH 71. The project also allows for future extensions to the airport and the Crestview train station on North Lamar. "We are actively seeking additional funding opportunities to be able to accelerate that extension," said Wood. With construction set to start in 2027, the focus now turns to who will design and build the railroad and its 15 stations. "Austin is looking at billions of dollars in construction," said Tina Cannon, a small business owner and CEO of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. "And now it's time for small businesses to get engaged and involved." What they're saying On Wednesday, the Austin Transit Partnership invited local companies who may want a piece of the three big contracts that will be up for grabs next year. "So we're here today bringing on those potential industry partners that will need to help us get shovels in the ground," said Wood. "Everything from nail and board type construction to engineering firms," said Cannon. Austin-area small businesses sat alongside big construction outfits for networking and training workshops. "It's all about relationships," said Helen Callier, founder of Permit Us Now. "To, number one, see folks we may already know and have some conversations. And number two, see folks we may not have met before in the industry to be able to start those conversations." "It's a chance for small businesses to have a say now. So then when it comes time to actually bid on the process, it's a much smoother process," said Cannon. In the meantime, the Austin Transit Partnership is working on getting federal funding for the $7.1 billion project, which is expected to bring thousands of local jobs. "All boats rise together," said Callier. "So for the small businesses, we play a critical role in the economy in the local area, for Austin and, of course, the surrounding communities. And it makes a difference." Why you should care If you're a business owner who would like to get involved but weren't able to make it to Wednesday's event, click here. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Austin Infrastructure Academy tees up spring launch as billions in transit projects progress
Editor's Note: The above video is from June 2024 when funding was secured for Austin Infrastructure Academy. AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Infrastructure Academy will host its inaugural expo event later this spring to build up a local pipeline of infrastructure workers to support billions of dollars' worth of mobility projects underway. PAST COVERAGE: Austin mayor announces new infrastructure academy to build construction workforce Mayor Kirk Watson said the academy will host its launch event on March 26 at 10 a.m. at Workforce Solutions Capital Area, with networking efforts available to introduce Austinites to potential careers and career readiness opportunities. Watson confirmed the news at an event alongside Austin Transit Partnership Wednesday morning, with the organization seeking local workers to help develop the city's first light rail line under Project Connect. That 9.8-mile, 15-station network is one component of roughly $25 billion in mobility infrastructure projects currently underway or in development, Watson said. City, county and transit officials alongside regional partners established the Austin Infrastructure Academy as an anticipated 10,000 workers annually will be required to build out those mobility projects. The academy comes at a substantial time in the city's history, Watson said, deeming it a 'pivotal' moment. 'Right now, we're making the most significant investments in infrastructure in modern history in Austin, Texas,' he said. As both Austin's economy and its population size continue to bolster, Watson added it's critical that local job opportunities are made available to keep Austin affordable while helping employ local talent. It also comes as the mobility and infrastructure industry is burgeoning, with city estimates anticipating the sector will grow more than 80% by 2040. Austin Transit Partnership's event Wednesday also connected small and large firms interested in contractual work on the light rail system. Brad Cummings, senior vice president of procurement and contract management at ATP, said hundreds of businesses in Austin and more than 2,000 in Texas are eligible to provide the goods and services needed to build the first phase of light rail. Cummings added ATP anticipates issuing its Request for Qualifications (RFQ) solicitation process for final design and construction work in June, with the hope that employing local talent will help create a sense of ownership over the project and its redevelopment opportunities for Austin. 'It is a momentous project,' said Greg Canally, executive director of ATP. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
