CAMPO Leaves Lone Star Rail’s Fate On The Line

By, Holly Ratcliff

The future of Lone Star Rail District’s $2.09 billion rail plan remains uncertain following the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s recent decision to exclude the company from their 2040 long-range transportation plan.

On August 8, CAMPO’s transportation policy board began the process of ending the project’s Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and funding. This decision may be linked with the recent split between Union Pacific Corp. and LSRD that occurred last February. Without the Union Pacific Corp., LSRD will no longer have access to the company’s existing freight lines.

News of CAMPO and LSRD’s spring meeting stirred the public for both the rail plan’s potential benefits and drawbacks. CAMPO officials noticed the plan was not advancing, although $30 million in state and federal funds was being spent forwarding the project.

CAMPO has set a meeting for October 10 during, which their decision will become official. Until then, various spaces will be made available for public discussion as CAMPO works through the amendment process. This open house period will continue from August 29 through September 26. A public hearing will be held on September 12 to present amendments to the plan.

Citizens will have several opportunities to attend CAMPO hosted open houses, which will allow participants to come and go at their own convenience and not include any formal presentations. Doors will be open from 4 to 7 p.m.

Open house schedule:

9/7- Cepeda Library, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Road, Austin

9/8- Buda Public Library, 303 Main St., Buda

9/13- Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Austin

9/14- Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Taylor

9/20- Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park