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Austin, Texas Votes ‘Yes’ on a $7 Billion Transportation Revolution
Project Connect, or Proposition A as Austin voters passed it as, will create a $7 billion public transit revolution in the state capitol.
Social & Lifestyle
The Texas state capitol of Austin is getting ready for a public transit revolution, with a $7 billion plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestions by providing a variety of different transportation options and infrastructure to the citizens of one of the fastest growing cities in the country.
Along with a new rail system featuring 31 new stops, there will be four high-speed bus routes, neighborhood shuttle services that will take people to and from the stations, and new park and ride areas to encourage city motorists to use the new infrastructure.
“There were three main arguments that were made,” says Austin mayor Steve Adler. “One was congestion. One was climate change. One was mobility equity in our city.”
Proposition A, as it was voted on during the 2020 US Elections, also includes a $450 million plan for adding cycling and walking infrastructure—such as pedestrian bridges, bike lanes, sidewalks, and urban parks—all of which will be put together under the moniker of “Project Connect” that will feature experts in community planning, construction, and engineering, as well advisors from the CapMetro board. Together they will assemble on Jan 1st to work out the details of the program.
The new train stops will service North and South Austin, the airport, downtown, and Colony Park, and a map of the proposed service lines is available on the Capitol Metro website.