Greater access: Austin gets its first light rail transit system

by tanya_martins | January 20, 2025 12:07 pm

A modern train interior with passengers seated and standing, including a child looking out the window. The view outside showcases a vibrant city skyline with tall buildings, a bridge, and a calm river at sunset. The atmosphere inside the train is casual, with people engaged in various activities. A screen displays upcoming station information.[1]
The project will transform how locals navigate across the city, stimulate economic growth, protect the existing environment, and promote a sustainable future. Image courtesy ATP

Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), the city’s first light rail transit (LRT) system, is set to transform mobility across the city.

Undertaken by AECOM, Phase 1 of the project will include program oversight and initiation, environmental services, design management, rail activation, and operational readiness. This landmark project will introduce an approximately 16.09-km (10-mile) light rail system to Austin, with 15 stations to enhance connectivity and mobility for communities in the region.

The Austin Light Rail is a key part of the city’s larger Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP), which aims to enhance the accessibility, reliability, and connectivity of Austin’s transportation network.

The new transit system will link major destinations across the city, such as Lady Bird Lake, downtown Austin, and the University of Texas at Austin. Future expansions will extend north to major hubs and south to Austin’s airport.

This project will transform how locals navigate their city, stimulate economic growth, protect the existing environment, and promote a sustainable future.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TM_AustinLightRail-1.jpg

Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/greater-access-austin-gets-its-first-light-rail-transit-system/

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