Get On Board

Everything you need to know about Austin's new Project Connect transit plan

Already the 11th largest city in the country, Austin is adding about 4,500 more people each month and is expected to double its population by 2040. And with all those residents come their cars — about 155 are joining the ATX roads each week.

What's an already congested road system to do? Improve its public transportation, of course.

Project Connect's new transit plan includes a new rail system; new MetroRapid bus routes and vehicles; the transition to a zero-emissions, all-electric fleet; a downtown transit tunnel that makes everyone's trip faster (whether you're on the train or in your car); and much more.

It will connect the entire city, bring — and attract — opportunities to the area, improve the environment, and get Austin moving forward again.

Here's a look at what Project Connect could do for Austin and its residents:

Accessibility
Millions of people — from Leander to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Oak Hill to Colony Park — would enjoy expanded and improved services. A new rail system would connect Austin's north, south, and east neighborhoods, moving everyone more reliably in a faster, safer way. That's nearly 36 miles and more than 40 stations, including a downtown transit tunnel designed to ensure street-level traffic moves without interruption.

Environmental impact
Capital Metro's current fleet is transitioning to all-electric with zero emissions. This majorly cuts down on greenhouse gases, improves air quality, and reduces strain on Austin's ecological environment. The addition of 24 new Park & Ride hubs would also help clear the streets of single-occupant vehicles while improving the overall travel experience for riders.

Economic advantages
Even if you don't personally use public transportation, we all need it. Major cities experiencing growth and affordability issues — think Seattle, Montreal, Denver, Boston, Seattle, New York City, and Los Angeles — depend on rail to serve as an equitable transit option. The Project Connect plan also includes anti-displacement strategies to ensure residents and local businesses are taken care of. Investing in transit helps protect what everyone loves about Central Texas and improves quality of life now and into the future.

Stay informed about Capital Metro's Project Connect by visiting its website, which lists upcoming meetings and announcements regarding the plan's future.

The new transit plan will expand public transportation across the city. Note: Artist renderings not intended to be an actual depiction.

Project Connect tunnel platform

Rendering courtesy of Cap Metro

The new transit plan will expand public transportation across the city. Note: Artist renderings not intended to be an actual depiction.

transportation promoted

Take A Bike

City of Austin gears up to make permanent changes to Congress Avenue

City of Austin gears up to make permanent changes to Congress Avenue

Photo courtesy of AustinTexas.gov

Congress Avenue's undergoing a transformation.

Driving down Congress Avenue has looked a lot different this summer. Not only are the throngs of traffic gone and buildings empty of workers, but a series of temporary bike lanes have been installed along the corridor.

In May, more than a 1,000 residents signed a petition asking to install the bike lanes along "the Main Street of Texas." The following month, the Austin City Council passed the measure and announced the creation of temporary bike lanes along Congress, between Riverside Drive and 11th Street.

With Austin battling COVID-19, the bike lanes were a way "to improve safety and to address COVID-19 risk-based guidelines to ensure enough physical distance for all people using [Congress] Avenue and the Ann Richards Bridge," the city said at the time.

Earlier this week, the City of Austin announced the bike lanes will become permanent. The traffic cones and plastic markers installed to designate the lanes will be replaced with flexible delineator posts and parking stops to create a physical barrier between cyclists and vehicles. Driveways and on-street parking will remain accessible to cars, notes a news release.

Congress Avenue's new bike lanes promote access to alternative modes of transportation while easing traffic on downtown sidewalks. With cyclists and scooter riders using dedicate lanes, pedestrians and nearby businesses are better able to take advantage of the sidewalk and maintain social distancing guidelines, the city notes in its announcement.

Along with the bike lanes, the city also announced the creation of dedicated left and right turn signals at high-traffic intersections, a move that will hopefully stop the soul-crushing feeling of cruising down Congress only to get stopped behind someone attempting to make a left-hand turn across three lanes of traffic. In addition, improved pedestrian crossings and signage will also be installed.

These improvements are part of the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative, a project funded in 2012 and launched in 2017 with the goal of improving the downtown corridor.

Construction on the permanent bike lanes is already underway, and the city has projected a four-to-six week timeline for completion.

downtown transportation

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