The City of Austin's Urban Rail initiative would feature streetcars that travel on rails built into the city's streets. Urban Rail would also connect to the current Metro Rail route and the planned Lone Star Rail Network that will extend through Georgetown and San Antonio. Once complete, the system would run from the Mueller development east of I-35, through The University of Texas, downtown, and into the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Each car is expected to hold approximately 165 people. By the projected completion of the network's final phase in 2035, the city estimates an average of 27,600 daily riders.

Timeline: City Council is considering a November bond election for residents to approve the funding plan. If approved, the city projects construction to begin in 2014 or 2015 and operations to begin between 2017 and 2019.

Cost: $1.3 billion with $250 million to $700 million in initial investment

Funding: A combination of funds from local sources, such as bonds, value capture tools and partnerships would support the initiative. Further funding is being sought through the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts Program.