AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s long-awaited Light Rail project continues to take shape. City leaders will be meeting on Wednesday to try and move rail transit closer to reality.
As the project stands, Guadalupe Street near Dean Keeton Street could one day be home to a light rail station connecting UT, downtown and other parts of Austin. Before any tracks are laid, city leaders still have important decisions to make. The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) board is meeting Wednesday and is expected to provide an update on the project’s timeline and what’s next.
Officials say the project is continuing to move through major milestones, including the release of its final environmental impact statement, a big step to securing billions of dollars in federal funding and starting construction. That report also says the project will require about 85 acres of land and could impact 71 businesses along the route.
Officials say no formal purchase offers have been made yet, but they anticipate sending them out in August or September. While some businesses may be affected, leaders say the long-term goal is to create more opportunities by bringing in more customers, foot traffic and investments to the areas surrounding future rail stations.
“This action is going to create or sustain a bunch of jobs for our community,” ATP Community Director Juan Garza said. “It’s going to sustain a bunch of business for our community.”
ATP says businesses displaced by the project are eligible for relocation assistance, but some businesses still say their biggest concerns include finding a new location and covering extra costs not included in this program.
Light Rail construction is expected to start next year. The ATP meeting is set to begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
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