Project Connect

An illustration showing light-rail at street level on Guadalupe Street at Republic Square. A blue and white CapMetro light-rail train is running in the middle of the street with lanes for cars and bicycles on the outside.

6 key points about Austin's light-rail plan ahead of final vote

Nathan Bernier

In the lead-up to a decisive vote on Austin's light-rail plan, council members are extracting finer details of the $5 billion build out.

Light rail renderings unveiled to the public at the Austin Public Library on March 21, 2023. This illustration shows the rail at street level on East 3rd Street at San Jacinto Boulevard.

Transportation

Austin's light-rail plans set to advance after narrowly dodging Texas-sized wrecking ball

Nathan Bernier

Austin's light-rail ambitions face key approvals from local officials this week after a bill that would have toppled the Project Connect funding plan was killed. But political and legal risks remain for the voter-approved transit expansion.

Transportation

Austin light-rail gets first approval amid looming Texas legislative threat

Nathan Bernier

The Austin Transit Partnership's board offers unanimous approval for the light-rail blueprint as a fight simmers at the Texas Legislature over a bill that could destabilize Project Connect's financial footing.

An artist's rendering showing on-street rail at East 3rd Street and San Jacinto. Tracks run down the middle of the street. Blue and orange rail vehicles are going by with the words "CapMetro" on their destination signs.

Transportation

Project Connect recommendation revealed: Light-rail would stretch 10 miles at street level

Nathan Bernier

Austin's light-rail system would be entirely at street level and travel in three directions — north, south and east — under a new plan now being recommended by the Austin Transit Partnership.

An illustration of a CapMetro light-rail vehicle traveling at street level down Guadalupe Street at Republic Square. Overhead wires provide power to the blue and white train with an orange accent line. The train has a dedicated guideway in the middle of the road and appears to be stopped at the intersection.

Transportation

Austin nears decision on light-rail routes with public comment period closing tonight

Nathan Bernier

The long-awaited light-rail project faces tradeoffs as Austin evaluates five new proposals. A final decision is expected in June.

Voters line up outside of the election polling at Zilker Elementary School

Transportation

Project Connect could be on the ballot again this November

Nathan Bernier

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson says if the Texas Legislature is going to force another election, sooner is better than later. But the strategy is frustrating some supporters of the voter-approved transit expansion.

An illustration showing a light-rail vehicle running at street level at East 3rd Street and San Jacinto Boulevard. The train is blue with a white roof and orange highlighting. The destination sign says "CapMetro." Gantry lines are running overhead.

Transportation

Austin's light-rail plans have shrunk. Here are 5 new options.

Nathan Bernier

The plans, each under $5 billion, are starkly smaller than the original map presented to voters before the November 2020 election.

A view of the Texas State Capitol dome around twilight. The United States and Texas flags are fluttering in the wind. The Goddess of Liberty statue on top of the dome is towering above everything else.

Transportation

Texas Legislature could derail Austin's transit expansion

Nathan Bernier

Bills with big name backing in the Texas House and Senate would force a citywide election if the Austin Transit Partnership wants to borrow money for construction of light-rail lines.

A MetroRapid bus with the destination sign 801 Rapid. In the background is a street light in front of a blue sky.

Transportation

CapMetro gets $65 million from feds for high-frequency bus lines

Nathan Bernier

The cash infusion clears the way for two MetroRapid lines to begin running with an all-electric fleet of buses in 2025.

A young man wearing dark clothing, sunglasses and red high-top Converse shoes removes a road bike from the front of a red MetroRapid bus. The sign on the bus says, "803 Westgate."

Transportation

Capital Metro delays new MetroRapid routes until 2025

Nathan Bernier

The Pleasant Valley and Expo Center lines were supposed to start running this summer with buses every 10 minutes.