Austin's Project Connect light rail moves ahead in federal process
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Project Connect's light rail program is steaming ahead in its federal process, Austin Transit Partnership officials announced Monday.
The Federal Transit Administration filed Friday its notice of intent to collaborate with ATP on the initial phase of light rail, following the implementation plan's adoption last June. Now, the notice of intent greenlights an official 45-day scoping process that will evaluate proposed station locations and design considerations, the release added.
ATP officials have previously said the program anticipates nearly half the funding for light rail will come via federal dollars. While undergoing this federal process, ATP is in the works of securing federal money to support the program's construction and buildout.
“This next phase is critical in implementing this transformational project for Austin,” Jennifer Pyne, ATP's executive vice president of planning, community and federal programs with the Austin Transit Partnership, said in the release. “Since its inception, Austin Light Rail has been informed by community input and now, Austinites will have the opportunity to provide their thoughts and insights into the design topics that they feel are most important.”
On track for this year is ATP's draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the initial phase of light rail. That is an environmental analysis required of planned projects that intend to use federal funding.
That draft document is slated to be published and released to the public for comment and review in fall 2024.
In the interim, ATP has outlined several in-person and open house events in February to keep residents up to date on the information set to be included in the (DEIS). Those include:
- Thursday, Feb. 1: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of Texas: University Eastwoods Room at 2308 Whitis Ave.
- Saturday, Feb. 10: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Montopolis Rec Center at 1200 Montopolis Drive
- Monday, Feb. 12: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the League of Women Voters Cafetorium at 3908 Avenue B
- Thursday, Feb. 22: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. via a virtual Zoom meeting
- Tuesday, Feb. 27: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Twin Oaks Library Rooms 1 and 2 at 1800 S. Fifth St.
- Thursday, Feb. 29: 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at St. David's Episcopal Sumners Hall at 301 E. Eighth St.
The meetings will cover a description of Austin's planned light rail system, educational information on the environmental analysis process as well as maps and diagrams descripting the project proposal and related design options.
Those interested in attending an event can register online.