May 07
WHAT: Briefing on the Downtown Austin Plan: Urban Rail Connector/Circulator Proposal
WHEN: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, Check-in at 7:40 a.m., Meeting at 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: St. David’s Episcopal Church, 304 East 7th Street in Sumner’s Hall, 3rd Floor
City of Austin staff and members of the ROMA Design team will present details of the proposal for inclusion of a rail-based circulator/connector in the Downtown Austin Plan.
As proposed, the circulator would connect Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Downtown, the Capitol complex, and the Mueller redevelopment site. The line could be extended to other areas in future phases.
Parking will be available at the Southwest Tower parking garage located 211 East 7th Street. RSVP via email to rsvp@downtownaustin.com or call 512-469-1766 x211 by Monday, May 12 by 5:00 p.m.
May 05
The Austin American-Statesman Editorial Board weighs in on Gov. Perry’s appointment of his former Chief of Staff, Deirdre Delisi, as Chair of the Texas Transportation Commission. The jury’s still out:
“Though it is fortunate that Central Texas now has a presence on the transportation commission, Delisi still must show that she is more than a Perry pawn. Can she lead the commission? Can she push back? Can she be independent when she needs to be?”
Can Delisi steer Transportation through all the potholes?
Meanwhile, San Antonio businesswoman Hope Andrade remains unruffled by not being re-appointed to the Commission. Perry’s decision is seen as an effort to achieve geographic balance while retaining a strong advocate for Perry’s transportation agenda, but there is already grumbling that Delisi can hardly be considered a representative for South Texas.
South Texan seen as casualty in revamped highway panel - San Antonio Express News
Apr 30
Segment 4 of the SH 130 project was opened today following a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the SH 130/SH 71 Interchange. Segment 4, from SH 71 to US 183 near Mustang Ridge, is the final segment in the Central Texas Turnpike System 2002 Project (CTTS). With the opening of this Segment, all portions of the CTTS–the Loop 1 Extension, SH 45 North, and SH 130–are now open to traffic.
Tolls will not be charged on this 8.7 mile section through June and drivers with electronic toll tags will receive a 50% discount in July and a 10% discount thereafter.
Segments 5 & 6 of SH 130, which is being constructed by a different team under the state’s first privately-funded concession agreement, is expected to begin construction in 2009.
SH 130 Segment 4 Opening - TXDOT Press Release
Texas 130 in Austin area opens final stretch today - Austin American-Statesman
Apr 30
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) has chosen JPMorganChase as its financial partner on the outstanding toll road projects. CTRMA expects to develop a combined public/private financing package for under 6%. As construction costs are projected to increase by 10-12%, moving forward expeditiously on these projects should be a net gain financially, as well as as for Central Texas mobility. Financing will be comprised of non-concession, non-privatized lending of public and private funds supported solely by revenue from tolls. Details regarding which roads roads get built and when must still be worked out , but it does portend well for getting things back on track and placing Central Texas on the cutting edge of self-sustaining local transportation funding.
Apr 30
The Governor’s office announced today that Rick Perry has appointed his former Chief of Staff Deirdre Delisi of Austin and Ft. Worth executive William Meadows to the Texas Transportation Commission. Meadows replaces the late Ric Williamson, who died in late December 2007. Delisi will replace Hope Andrade and will serve as Chair of the Commission. Delisi and Meadows’ terms expire Feb.1, 2013.
Governor’s Press Release
Apr 22
Downtown Austin Plan (DAP) consultant ROMA Design Group outlined a light rail proposal for Central Austin at a public meeting on Apr 22. The proposed 14-mile system would run from downtown Austin to the airport, through the UT campus and then east towards Mueller, primarily in dedicated lanes.
Estimated costs range from $5 to $40 million per mile. As proposed, the line would be built the City of Austin rather than Capital Metro, though financing is undetermined. City Council Member Brewster McCracken envisions a partnership between the City, Travis County and Cap Metro.
ROMA will make a recommendation to the Austin City Council May 8 and to the CAMPO Transit Working Group May 12.
New commuter rail plan to be unveiled Tuesday - KVUE
It’s baaack: A proposal for light rail - Austin Business Journal
ROMA to recommend 14 miles of light rail in Central Austin - Austin American-Statesman
Light Rail Route Outlined - Austin Business Journal
New light-rail plan rolls into Austin - Austin American-Statesman
Apr 11
Save room on your calendar for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of SH 130 Segment 4 (SH 71 to US 183 / Mustang Ridge) on April 30. Details regarding location to be announced. For additional information or to RSVP, call the Pflugerville Project Office at 512-225-1473.
As with other segments of SH 130, tolls will initially be waived - all drivers may drive on Segment 4 free through June.
Segment 4 will eventually connect to Segments 5 and 6 (Mustang Ridge to I-10 in Seguin), which are being built via a public-private partnership between TXDOT and Cintra-Zachry. Construction on the last two segments is expected to begin in 2009 and be complete by 2012.
Southern half of SH 130 to open - Austin Business Journal
Last piece of tollway around Austin to open April 30 - Austin American-Statesman
New portion of highway nearly completed - News8 Austin
Apr 11
Sen. Kirk Watson has announced that Joe Cantalupo has accepted the offer to become CAMPO Executive Director and will officially start work on April 28. CATC will co-host a reception in early May (date to be announced) with the Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) and the Austin Chamber to welcome and congratulate Cantalupo.
NOTE: The April 21 CAMPO Board meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for May 12.
Apr 11
The Austin City Council gave preliminary approval for zoning within half-mile radius around future CapMetro commuter rail stations within the city. Final approval is expected within a few weeks.
Apr 09
The city of Georgetown and Williamson County will jointly finance the expansion of 3.5 miles of RM 2338, which was left in question after TXDOT’s financial crisis left it unfunded. TXDOT has to use funds intended for new road capacity for maintenance.
The state agency’s financial crisis is prompting other local governments to consider banding together to pay for new expansion Round Rock and Georgetown are considering widening part of FM 1460, along with the county and private developers, are considering taking over a project that would widen part of FM 1460.
Williamson County will pay for the project from its 2006 and the jurisdictions are working out a timeline for Georgetown to reimburse the County for about $14 million (65 % of the project).
