AUSTIN, Texas — The city of Austin is getting millions in federal funding to reduce climate pollution.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding roughly $4.3 billion in grants to fund projects in 30 states to reduce pollution. As part of that, Austin is receiving a $47.9 million grant to improve transportation.
The city said the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant will "help commuters in the region adjust to upcoming major construction projects that will temporarily disrupt travel in and around Austin and benefit from alternate commute options."
"The Austin region is on the brink of an exciting and positive new era of mobility with the infusion of billions of dollars into transportation projects," Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. "But transformational change will bring some disruption along the way. Working with our regional coalition of transportation agencies, we plan to use this grant to make our transition a little easier and more pleasant for our residents with timely traveler information while also promoting adoption of transit, carpooling, and active transportation, leading to long-lasting impacts on congestion and achieving our mobility and pollution reduction goals."
The city said it will use the funds from the EPA to expand the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) program, allowing for more frequent service to Austin-area suburbs like San Marcos, Bastrop and Taylor. The funds will also be used to increase CapMetro services, including CapMetro BikeShare, and to "allow a large-scale program of incentives and engagement" to encourage residents to carpool or use public transit.
"This grant will help promote and provide cleaner ways for people to get around the Austin region," City Manager TC Broadnax said. "Our residents and visitors will be able to make informed choices about how they want to travel. That aligns with the City’s goal to improve the quality of life for people who live and work here."