What does the future of Project Connect look like?

The Austin Transit Partnership unveiled five updated plans to replace the Blue and Orange Lines.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Nextdoor
  • Email

A rendering of the station intersecting Guadalupe Street at Republic Square.

Rendering via Austin Transit Partnership

The Austin Transit Partnership unveiled five potential plans for the future of the city’s light rail transit on Tuesday.

The updated light rail plans are a portion of Project Connect — a multi-billion dollar overhaul of Austin’s public transit system approved by voters in 2020 — compressed due to rising real estate costs. Now, Austin is calling on the public for a review.

ATP is accepting public feedback until mid-May, when a staff recommendation will be made, so now is the time to make your voice heard. The Board of Directors plans to make a final decision in June.

Here’s a break-down of the new proposals:

The North Lamar Transit Center was not forgotten in new proposals.

Graphics via Austin Transit Partnership

29th Street to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Formerly known as the Blue Line , the proposal for this line will still take you from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Congress Avenue, but its northern stretch has been cut. This line ends at 29th Street instead of the originally proposed North Lamar Transit Center.

    Though the southern portion is no more, ATP said each line has potential for expansion.

    Graphics via Austin Transit Partnership

    North Lamar to Pleasant Valley

    This line picks up the rest of the former Blue Line at the North Lamar Transit Center, and ends in a new location, Pleasant Valley Road. Most similar to the former Orange Line , this route has Lady Bird Lake crossing options at South 1st Street and Trinity Street.

    What this, and the rest of the new proposals, leave out is a route toward south Austin — the former Orange Line plan ended on Slaughter Lane.

    It’s important to note that both the Red and Green Lines will continue as scheduled.

    Graphics via Austin Transit Partnership

    Central Austin to Yellow Jacket Lane

    There are three options that end at Yellow Jacket Lane, including an on-street option starting at 38th Street, and a partially elevated line starting at 29th Street — each with service to Oltorf. The third and shortest option starts at UT without service to Oltorf.

    View the full proposal here .

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Nextdoor
    • Email
    Laura Figi has called Austin home for more than 12 years and has been known to say it’s her “favorite city in the world.” A proud graduate of Texas State University, she’s been working in local news since 2020. When she’s not working and learning about the community, you can find her at the local thrift shop, spending time with her two cats, or listening to live music.
    More from ATXtoday