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69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

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What does the future of Project Connect look like?

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:

On the left, the plans for the former Blue Line. On the right, updated plans based on the Blue Line. — The North Lamar Transit Center was not forgotten in new proposals.
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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.

On the left, a graphic of the former Orange Line, and the current line on the right. — Though the southern portion is no more, ATP said each line has potential for expansion.
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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.

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.

View More Plans

Asked

Do these plans serve your neighborhood?

A. Yes
B. No
C. I’m willing to relocate to be closer to public transit

Let Us Know

Events

Friday, March 24

NASCAR at COTA | Now-Sunday, Mar. 26 | Times vary | Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin | $25-$3,992 | If you’re feeling the need for speed this weekend, head to COTA for three days of action-packed NASCAR racing.
Austin Spring Home Show | Now-Sunday, Mar. 26 | Times vary | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $8-$25 | Get inspired at this marketplace with interactive exhibits, informative displays, and presentations from industry experts.

Saturday, March 25

Austin FC vs. Colorado Rapids | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Q2 Stadium, 10414 Mc Kalla Pl., Austin | $108-$136 | The Verde and Black will face down the Colorado team on their home field.
The Magnetic Fields | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $33-$60 | Catch the band behind “The Book of Love” live.

Sunday, March 26

Bad Bunny Bash | Sunday, Mar. 26 | 12 p.m. | WET Deck at W Austin, 200 Lavaca St., Austin | $30-$100 | Join in on the ultimate rooftop party for Bad Bunny fans.
ICONS Exhibit | Sunday, Mar. 26 | 12-6 p.m. | West Chelsea Contemporary, 1009 W. 6th St. #Ste. 120, Austin | Free | This exhibition celebrates and highlights works by renowned innovators.
Sabrina Carpenter | Sunday, Mar. 26 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $35-$110 | Carpenter is only 23 years old, but she’s already generated a substantial fandom for her acting roles and songwriting skills.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

Click here to have your event featured.

100+ More Events

News Notes

Weather

87º | Morning thunderstorms | 77% chance of rain

Austinite

Longhorn football running back Bijan Robinson might be your kid’s swim instructor. According to Austin Parks and Recreation, Bijan taught a swim lesson last week at Bartholomew Pool in partnership with nonprofit Tankproof, which provides lessons and food to children in need.

Biz

Austin-based job site Indeed announced it will cut around 2,200 jobs — approximately 15% of its total team — globally. CEO Chris Hyams said cuts span most teams, and that he will also take a 25% pay cut. (Austin American-Statesman)

Opening

Chinese restaurant Wu Chow will expand into its second location this summer. Taking over the former space of Rosedale Kitchen and Bar — 3800 N. Lamar Blvd. — Rosedale Wu Chow will offer the same menu as the first location, plus a private dining room. (Eater Austin)

Closed

Three restaurants owned by The Vegan Citadel — Mission Street Burrito, Fair Game, and Pinsa Palace — closed this month. The company cited difficulty recovering from the pandemic, inflation, and rising labor costs for its closure. (Eater Austin)

Giveaway

You and a friend could win a pair of tickets to the first-ever CMT Awards in Austin on Sunday, April 2. Head to Domain NORTHSIDE’s Instagram page to enter — the winners will be announced on Thursday, March 30.

Award

Austin FC announced its inaugural Coach of the Year Award, allowing Central Texans to nominate any public middle or high school coach within a 75-mile radius of Q2 Stadium. The winner — who will be honored at an Austin FC match on May 13 — will receive $5,000 in prize money. Submit your nomination.

Announced

Attention fans of the stage — ZACH Theatre teased its 2023-2024 show lineup. This year, expect showings of “The Lehman Trilogy” by Stefano Massini, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” and an adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen. Get updates.

Number

$241. That’s the real price of a round-trip ticket from Boston to Barcelona sold this year via Going — a travel membership that alerts you when flight prices drop. Sign up for a free membership or try an Elite membership for free if you’re interested in business and first class tickets, too.

Fun Fact

Did you know today is the last day to enter our Six & Main Spring Forward Contest? The winner + two of their friends will receive a prize from one of our coffee/tea brand partners. Spring on over to Instagram to learn more.

Sports

Let’s talk about Spurs Week

The San Antonio Spurs mascot in front of the "Greetings from Austin" mural.

The Spurs are sharing the love with Austin at Spurs Fan Fest. | Photo by Anne Ousey

Forget the NCAA tournament, it’s all about Spurs Week.

The San Antonio Spurs are bringing a week-long party to ATX to celebrate the “I-35 Series,” two games at the Moody Center marking the start of the first regular NBA season games ever in Austin.

The I-35 Series + pop-up events = Austin Spurs Week. Take a look at this timeline of events:

Sunday, April 2-Saturday, April 8

Casa de Spurs at Native Hostel, 807 E. 4th St.
Spurs Post-Up Merch Truck outside Casa de Spurs

Sunday, April 2

Pub crawl and Spurs v. Sacramento Kings watch party around the city

Thursday, April 6

San Antonio Spurs v. Portland Trail Blazers at 7 p.m. at the Moody Center

Friday, April 7

Spurs Fan Fest, including a free concert from Shakey Graves at Republic Square

Saturday, April 8

San Antonio Spurs v. Minnesota Timberwolves at 3 p.m. at the Moody Center.

The Wrap

Today’s Edition By:
Figi

From the Editor

I am absolutely living for this rainy weather. If you take any pictures, send them my way because I would love to see them.

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