Austin News

The Austin City Council voted unanimously Aug. 12 to place on the November ballot a measure that will allow construction of a $7 billion light rail commuter underground tunnel system through the city’s downtown to connect with the city’s current rail network.

Councilman Jimmy Flannigan, whose 6th District represents the north section of Austin, argued that given the snarled traffic in town, Project Connect is vital for commuters.

“If you don’t build the downtown tunnel you’re just putting buses or trains in the same traffic as the cars are sitting,” Flannigan told a City Mobility Committee, of which he is vice chair, and quoted on KXAN. “It is an absolutely critical element of this proposal.” 

Flannigan told council members in January that an expanded bus transit system was not a viable option because it would be unable to deal with maximum capacity in several years.

"Bus rapid transit “does not work ... and the analysis shows that now,” Flannigan said. “It doesn’t have the capacity we need.”

In January on a televised YouTube segment for the show "The Clawback," Flannigan outlined the reasons for the light rail system with an underground tunnel in Austin’s downtown.

“Our data showed we need light rail in this town,” Flannigan said. “Furthermore, light rail needs to go underground when it’s downtown. Why is this important for District 6? These decisions have long-term impacts on our ability to address traffic in this community. If we under-build, we will never be able to serve District 6.”

Flannigan said the city of Dallas underbuilt its rail (DART) system and as a result has had to retrofit it.

“They [DART] did not go underground when they originally built,” Flannigan said. “If you keep a train on the same grade as cars and bikes, you can’t fit enough trains on it, and if you can’t, you’ll never serve District 6. By time the train gets to District 9, it’s full. You have to have enough capacity in your system. I’m making sure District 6 will get served.”   

To build the project, voters must agree to an 8.75-cent tax increase. According to Our Mobility Our Future, the project would cost $200 million per mile.

In addition to an underground tunnel, the project will involve adding buses to connect to the light rail system said to be much like a subway in appearance. Flannigan added that funding for the project will be stable in the long run, but Our Mobility Your Future argues that federal funding isn't a guarantee and is also unlikely.

"The money will not just pay to build [the system], it will not just pay to operate it, but it will ensure its continued operation into the future for many generations," he said. “We are not setting ourselves up for failure like other cities and other transit agencies have done. This is a long-term, sustainable funding form.”

The projected route of the 1.5-mile rail network will take tracks beneath Guadalupe Street, then head north under Trinity Street and reach Fourth Street. After that it will roll west under Fourth Street until it connects again to Guadalupe.

The objective is to lighten downtown traffic by providing a rail system that relieves dependency on auto travel. The addition of restaurants along the route and retail shopping opportunities are seen as potential benefits.

City engineers still must determine the exact route and where to dig the project. Council members said it should move forward as quickly as possible.

The council approved a joint government coalition called the Austin Transit Partnership to construct the project in partnership with Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Called Cap Metro, it operates the city’s current public commuter rail system as well as bus transit in Austin.

“I’m proud to support Project Connect,” Flannigan said. 

A website that explains the project is available at ourmobilityourfuture.