The document outlines several proposed adaptations from the last plans released for the rail system, which date back to 2023 when transit officials reduced plans for the rail by roughly half.
Explained
The environmental impact study, a federal requirement for securing future funding, evaluates potential impacts from both the construction and operation of the light rail system. It covers a wide range of topics, including effects on natural resources, green spaces, socio-economic conditions and neighborhood dynamics.
Within the document, ATP staff outlined several new design recommendations:
- Add a new downtown station near Wooldridge Square
- Extend the bridge across Lady Bird Lake and include bike and pedestrian component
- Waterfront Station will be elevated
- Removal of Travis Heights Station
- Shift Faro station location on East Riverside Drive to the Grove Boulevard intersection for better connection to Austin Community College and the city’s plans for affordable housing in the area
- Reconfigure how things fit in the street to include a greenway along the center of Riverside Drive with shaded bike and pedestrian pathways alongside the rail line
The new proposals were “driven by community input,” Jennifer Pyne said, an executive vice president in planning for ATP, and indicated a desire for more downtown stations and closer station spacing.
Additionally, the document addresses concerns surrounding noise and dust pollution that may occur during construction and operation, with ATP following federal guidelines to mitigate those impacts.
“There isn't a vehicle quite like this in Austin yet,” Pyne said. “It's a very quiet system—it's all electric.”
Pyne noted that the rail system not only positively impacts air quality by reducing emissions, but is an extremely reliable form of transit. The light rail is expected to run every five to 10 minutes and isn’t “hindered by traffic,” she said.
Priority extensions, including an airport connection, are being considered but are not included in the environmental impact study at this time.
“We are actively coordinating with the airport, with TxDOT, with the city on that topic, looking to be ready to take advantage of any opportunity to advance that extension,” Pyne said.
Looking ahead
The draft will open for public review and comment from Jan. 10 to March 11. Individuals may submit feedback by:
- The ATP website
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 512-710-2100
- Mail: 203 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701
- In-person during future public hearings
- Jan. 16 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Lively Middle School cafeteria at 201 E. Mary St., Austin
- Jan. 22 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Baker Center cafetorium at 3908 Avenue B, Austin
- Jan. 25 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. in the Montopolis Recreation and Community Center gym at 1200 Montopolis Drive, Austin
- Jan. 28 from 1-4 p.m. in the Texas Union Quadrangle Room at The University of Texas at Austin at 2308 Whitis Ave., Room 3.304
The light rail forums come soon after recent engagement about future development around Project Connect's northern and southern transit centers. That work is part of the city's equitable transit-oriented development, or ETOD, planning intended to support new community amenities, such as housing and local business along transit routes.
Additionally, ATP staff informed Community Impact that the agency is developing a program over the next year to support local businesses and residents affected by construction-related impacts or displacement.
As the agency moves closer to construction—which is slated to begin in 2027—it will begin onboarding the recently selected delivery partner AECOM Technical Services Inc. and launching the bid proposal process for design and construction firms as early as this month, Pyne said.
In their own words
“Imagine you're on the new bridge in the light rail train looking to the west. Once the [light rail] is operating, these are going to become some of the iconic images of Austin,” Pyne said, referencing plans for the elevated waterfront station along Lady Bird Lake.
