A popular — and sometimes deadly — Austin road will exchange car lanes for light rail.
A popular commuting route to the University of Texas at Austin that started out as an unpaved path could soon become home to a new light rail line, reports Lizzie Bassett for The Daily Texan.
The proposal to transform Guadalupe Street is part of the city’s ambitious Project Connect plan to expand public transit across the Austin area and improve pedestrian safety on one of the city’s most dangerous roadways. “Project Connect would create a light rail, which would run across 9.8 miles of Austin and connect UT students to key locations like downtown and South Congress.”
Under the plan, the road in question, known as The Drag, would prioritize transit and pedestrians over vehicles. “With fewer vehicles on The Drag, students commuting between the University and West Campus will likely reduce pedestrian injuries significantly.”
However, Republican lawmakers have repeatedly taken aim at the project’s funding mechanism, and proposed state legislation could eliminate Project Connect funding.
FULL STORY: The future of The Drag: From dirt path to speed rail
Austin’s Project Connect Funding Safe for 2025
The light rail project is moving ahead with plans to finalize its environmental impact review by late 2025.
Austin’s Project Connect Gains Key Budget Approval
The light rail project can move forward with the engineering and design phase, with a groundbreaking expected in 2027.
Texas Attorney General Calls Project Connect Funding Scheme Illegal
The massive transit project’s unique funding scheme could run afoul of state law.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
DOT Officially Cancels California High-Speed Rail Funding
The Trump administration has repeatedly taken aim at the LA-to-Bay Area rail project, blaming Democratic leaders for cost overruns and delays.
Legislators Push Back Against ‘Rent-Setting’ Software
In the last six months, lawmakers in more than two dozen cities and states have made strides to stop landlords from using anti-competitive rental software to determine how much to charge for rent. Shelterforce looks at the wins and losses so far.
DOT Awards 77% of BUILD Grants to Road Projects
Trump’s DOT is directing 87 percent of total grant dollars to states that backed the President in the last election.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
.jpg){kind=link}
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie