Capital Metro unveils its Project Connect system wide plan, it involves multiple Lightrail lines, tunnels, more park and rides and a new stop for Austin FC’s soon to be stadium and one at the Domain. The transit Agency will officially present to plan to its board and The Austin city council Monday.
Cap Metro’s official statement:
– On March 9, the Capital Metro team will present the Project Connect system plan recommendation to its Board of Directors and Austin City Council. The plan is designed to be a significant expansion to Capital Metro’s network, with all-new services reaching communities citywide to move more people more efficiently. The plan includes new circulators, new and expanded MetroExpress routes, 14 new Park & Rides, and seven new MetroRapid routes as well as the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit route. In addition to major investments for its bus network, Capital Metro is recommending Light Rail Transit (LRT) as the primary transit mode for the proposed Orange and Blue Lines. The agency also envisions light rail going underground in downtown to improve speed, reliability, and safety of the whole network.
Capital Metro’s recommendation was shaped by the two-year Project Connect process:
- Engaged nearly than 40,000 residents.
- Established a community office on Congress Avenue to gather input.
- Convened a Technical Advisory Committee and Project Connect Ambassador Network to provide input.
- Adopted as an integral part of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan.
- Six public joint work sessions by the Capital Metro Board and City of Austin
- Reviewed by an independent third-party.
“This has been one of the most transparent processes ever conducted in our city,” said Wade Cooper, Chair of the Capital Metro Board of Directors. “The board hired our President and CEO Randy Clarke to develop a data-driven and community-supported transit plan. We now have a real solution to address one of our city’s biggest challenges.”
Referred to as the “community’s plan”, Capital Metro developed Project Connect to offer more choices, more frequency and enhance current services to create a better-connected region and to protect and improve Austin’s quality of life as it continues to experience growth challenges.
“These recommendations are a bold vision for moving people today and planning for the future of our growing region,” said Randy Clark, Capital Metro President and CEO. “Thank you to our community for the significant level of engagement in this process. Our community made it clear that they are ready for action, and this plan is the beginning of a mobility transformation that will improve the quality of life for everyone. We would not be here without our partners at the City of Austin, and we’re incredibly grateful for their partnership.”
Following additional public input over the next two months, the Capital Metro Board and Austin City Council are expected to finalize the transit plan and funding options in May.
More information is available at capmetro.org/projectconnect/
(Photo:Cap Metro)
