The Pflugerville City Council voted unanimously June 12 to support a resolution that opposes the use of the MoKan right of way for a railway, saying the path would not only split the city but would also not be the best place to put a rail line through the city.

"What we're wanting to do in Pflugerville is look to the future, we're not wanting to look back 100 years when the MKT (MoKan track) line was laid out," Councilman Darelle White said.

Project Connect—a partnership between the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Capital Metro, the Lone Star Rail District and the City of Austin to address congestion and mass transit options—will hold an open house June 19 in Pflugerville seeking public input on mass transportation options in the region.

One of the options on the table, according to Pflugerville city officials, is utilizing the MoKan right of way that runs through downtown Pflugerville. It is that location council members oppose, they said, not rail in general.

"I do believe at some point in the future that rail or some kind of mass transportation will make sense," Councilman Wayne Cooper said, adding that placing it down the MoKan line would be dangerous.

Mayor Jeff Coleman, who has been one of the most vocal opponents of the plan, said he does not believe the location would be helpful to the city.

"Personally, as I've looked at it a lot more strongly in the last three weeks I just don't think it helps the biggest number of people," he said.

Council members said they hope this resolution will draw attention to the need for new plans and new routes.

"I think we're on the right track for a lot of different reasons, it affects our quality of life, it affects our future," Cooper said.