Project Connect, or Prop A, wins over Prop B transit plan.
The City of Austin is moving forward with Project Connect, a 10-year, $7.1 billion transportation plan after chosen over alternative by voters.
Project Connect is firing up its engines in what will be a 10-year process that interconnects the city of Austin via public transit. The project includes two light-rail lines – one running from Austin-Bergstrom Airport through downtown to North Lamar Boulevard at Highway 183; the other, from North Lamar Boulevard south to Stassney LN.
At a cost of $7.1 billion, the project will also create a commuter rail connecting East Austin and downtown, as well as an underground tunnel that will connect the Republic Square through downtown to the Convention Center.
Lastly, Project Connect will create a rapid bus line from ACC in the Highland Area to a coming South Congress Transit Center, as well as four additional bus lines.
“Project Connect meets so many long held need. Critical needs for this city,” said Mayor Steve Adler. “The quality of life in the city is getting so eroded by traffic.”
Achieving victory in today’s election, Proposition A will fund the initial investment of the massive city project. A permanent property tax that is to take effect beginning January of 2021 will fund most of the project, including maintenance and operation. While the remaining 45% will be covered via federal funding, according to the city.
“This Prop A vote was decades in the making. I’m just proud to live in this city that’s looking to its future so emphatically, saying that the status quo is not good enough,” said Adler. “Austin is going to continue to push to be a more sustainable and equitable and affordable city. And this was a big part of that and I’m excited to see that passed with such a large margin.”