CATC Mobility Headlines

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.

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