AUSTIN, Texas — Tuesday, May 2, is the last day Austinites can provide feedback to the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) for the light rail expansion.
Throughout the month of April, ATP showed what the five new "scaled-down" light rail options are for residents. Voters approved Project Connect in 2020 to expand the current light rail system that goes through the city. The project was expected to cost $5.8 million to create a high-capacity transit system that would include light rail lines, a downtown subway system, an expanded bus system and park-and-rides.
Now, the project is expected to cost residents $11.6 billion, and ATP is scaling back the project to reach the proposed cost estimate that voters had approved nearly three years ago.
"What we're going to do is get as much input as we can on what that first phase looks like, living within their means, within the budget that is set without asking for a tax increase," said Bill McCamley, the executive director for Transit Forward, a partner of the ATP and Capital Metro.
Austinites are able to provide feedback on the following options created by ATP. Following the commentary period, ATP will move forward with only one.
"They have crisscrossed this city. I mean, meeting with unions, neighborhood groups, disability rights groups at lunch counters, at bus stops," McCamley said of ATP's efforts to get community feedback.
PHOTOS: Project Connect unveils five new 'scaled down' light rail options
The sharp increase in cost caught the eyes of Texas lawmakers, resulting in the creation of both House and Senate bills that would create a system of checks and balances to require voters to approve any budget increases.
House Bill 3899, submitted by State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway), and Senate Bill 1791, submitted by State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), could possibly derail Project Connect if voters say "no" to increasing the budget allocated for the project.
"It's an absolute slap in the face for the taxpayers who are struggling with the cost of living in Austin and rising property taxes," Troxclair said.
HB 3899 has been sent to the local and consent calendar within the Legislature.
"Almost doubling the cost before even beginning the project. It's really, really disrespectful to the voters to come back and assume that they would be willing to pay that when people are struggling to keep up with their property taxes to begin with," Troxclair said.