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Council Holds Key Vote on Austin Urban Rail: A Look at What's at Stake

Project Connect
A rendering of urban rail on Lakeshore Boulevard, one stop along a proposed E. Riverside Drive route.

A proposal to build a $1.4 billion urban rail line in Austin faces a key vote today in the city council. The 9.5 mile urban rail line would run from Riverside Drive and Grove, through downtown to Highland Mall.

Supporters of the plan say that route is going to see a lot of growth over the next few years. Opponents wonder why it’s not going in where things are already happening. Like, along Lamar or Guadalupe.

The vote today also includes the 2014 Austin Strategic Mobility Plan. That document identifies some high priority road projects. The council has until August to decide whether to put a bond to pay for the urban rail plan on the November ballot. 

Listen to a basic breakdown of the proposal above. For more on Urban Rail and the Project Connect process:

Nathan Bernier is the transportation reporter at KUT. He covers the big projects that are reshaping how we get around Austin, like the I-35 overhaul, the airport's rapid growth and the multibillion dollar transit expansion Project Connect. He also focuses on the daily changes that affect how we walk, bike and drive around the city. Got a tip? Email him at nbernier@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @KUTnathan.
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