AUSTIN — Capital Metro unveiled its long-term transit plan for Central Texas, and now they want to hear from the public on the company's plan for Austin's transportation future.
CEO Randy Clarke presented the “Project Connect” vision at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce's Regional Mobility Summit on Monday.
This Project Connect plan would be implemented over the next several years.
We have attached PDF of the maps.
Project Connect Vision Plan-Regional by kvuenews on Scribd
Project Connect Vision Plan 092618 v7 (2) by kvuenews on Scribd
The Project Connect maps show two new, autonomous transit lines: An orange line along Lamar and Congress and a blue line from the airport to downtown.
Autonomous transit would be something similar to self-driving buses with dedicated lanes.
“The idea is, do we have the potential to build a rail system on rubber tires,” said Clarke.
These autonomous vehicles would be operated by wirelessly linking multiple vehicles.
RELATED:
The new maps unveiled Monday also show two more stops added to the current MetroRail line. Those new stops would be located at the Broadmoor development, close to where IBM is and at McKalla, where the new MLS stadium is going to get built.
The Project Connect plan also envisions a whole new commuter rail green line to Manor.
The maps also include “neighborhood circulators” that are smaller vehicles than buses that would travel in certain neighborhoods. They'd nearly double the number of park-and-rides to the suburbs.
Implementing this will take years and possibly bond elections.
"The idea is, let's agree as a region what are we trying to build,” said Clarke. “What is the goal? What is the vision? Then we work through the engineering analysis and figure out what that looks like. Then we'll get to a point to figure out what that actually costs. Then we'll figure out how to pay for the costs.”
CapMetro said it must work closely with the City of Austin. Mayor Steve Adler said the city needs a plan like this.
"I wish it was something that we had done five years ago,” he said. “And 10 years ago. But we didn't and that time passed. We have to act now and in a big and deliberate way."
CapMetro will have community engagement for the next 18 months for feedback on these new plans.
"We owe it to the taxpayers and the people that will live here in future generations to look at this in a much more holistic, open-minded way, than maybe we've ever had the opportunity," said Clarke.
The community will have the chance to voice their questions and concerns directly to CapMetro about these new plans this Wednesday evening at Ruiz Branch Library from 6 to 8 p.m.
CapMetro invites you to share your ideas at the following community conversations:
- Nov. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. - City Council District 3 Community Conversation - Pan American Rec Center - 2100 E. 3rd St., Austin, 78702 - Routes 17, 322 and MetroRail
- Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - City Council District 5 Community Conversation - ACC South Austin - 1820 W. Stassney Ln., Austin, 78745 - Routes 3, 311
- Nov. 26 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - City Council District 2 Community Conversation - Southeast Branch Library - 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd., Austin, 78744 - Route 7
- Nov. 28 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Board Work Session on Community Engagement - Austin Convention Center - Austin, 78701 - Routes 4, 17 and MetroRail
- Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Mayor Adler & At-Large City Council District's Community Conversation - Central Library - 710 W Cesar Chavez St., Austin, 78701 - Routes 3, 17, 803
- Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. - City Council Districts 4 & 7 Community Conversation - St. John’s Episcopal Church - 11201 Parkfield Dr., Austin, 78758 - Route 391