Austin Voters Approve Property Tax Increase To Expand Rail, Bus Systems

Strategic Partnerships 

The city of Austin will establish the Austin Transit Partnership to deliver Project Connect, the $7.1 billion transit plan to be funded by a property tax rate increase approved by voters on November 3. 

Initial plans call for 27 miles of light and commuter rail service and 31 stations, including a downtown transit tunnel, and expanded bus service. 

A new Orange Line will be light rail between the North Lamar Transit Center and Stassney Lane, with enhanced MetroRapid service connecting north to Tech Ridge and south to Slaughter Lane. 

Blue Line service will be provided by light rail from the airport to downtown and then operate north along the Orange Line.

The Gold Line will begin as MetroRapid, with the intent to convert to light rail services in the future. The Green Line will create an additional commuter rail service to connect downtown to Colony Park, with potential extensions to Manor and Elgin. 

The scenario includes three new, faster MetroRapid lines with priority treatments on Manor Road, Pleasant Valley and Menchaca Road, and 15 neighborhood circulator zones. It also features three new MetroExpress routes with 10 additional Park & Rides/Transit Centers and MetroBike integration.  

Austin and Capital Metro have until the end of June 2021 to develop a joint powers agreement detailing the specific responsibilities of the city, Capital Metro, and the Austin Transit Partnership.  

Capital Metro will pursue 45 percent federal funding of the $7.1 billion, with a local match for the remaining funding coming through the voter-approved property tax rate election for Project Connect.

The initial investment scenario also would allow for future funding at a federal, state, and local level as well as through public-private partnerships. 

The city and CapMetro will work together to apply $300 million to anti-displacement measures. Some of this funding will go toward transit-oriented developments and affordable housing along Project Connect routes. 

This article was originally published by Strategic Partnerships Inc.