AUSTIN | Transportation Updates

[ahealy]

Don't mean to de-rail this thread, heh heh heh....but is it possible Project Connect could include more subway before it's all said and done?

[Lobotomizer]

I believe the Gold Line will be tunneled in the downtown area when it's converted to rail intead of BRT.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by JAM

Austin not even mentioned, but Houston gets some Kudo's for their fabulous freeways.

https://reason.com/2021/08/27/the-number...odes-in-americas-housing-starved-metros/

I see more wrecks in Houston and San Antonio in a few hours on their freeways than I do here in all the other hours of the year. And not just minor ones. The last 3 times I've been to Houston I saw a 4 car wreck where one had ran up on the concrete barrier and one nearly flipped, an 18 wheeler flipped on its side on an overpass, and some other big wreck where they had a helicopter airlift the drivers out.

[enragedcamel]

I don't see how someone can look at Houston and think "hmm yes Austin should definitely emulate this."

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I see more wrecks in Houston and San Antonio in a few hours on their freeways than I do here in all the other hours of the year. And not just minor ones. The last 3 times I've been to Houston I saw a 4 car wreck where one had ran up on the concrete barrier and one nearly flipped, an 18 wheeler flipped on its side on an overpass, and some other big wreck where they had a helicopter airlift the drivers out.

As someone who commutes on I-35 everyday, there are a ton of wrecks - major ones at that - that don't make the news. Only daily I-35 commuters would be aware of them.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by ahealy

Don't mean to de-rail this thread, heh heh heh....but is it possible Project Connect could include more subway before it's all said and done?

I may be mistaken, but I thought that (depending on federal funding) there was a possibility that the gold line could still end up being implemented as rail instead of BRT. I would think that passage of the infrastructure bills in DC might make that more of a possibility. But again, I may be mistaken.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by paul78701

I may be mistaken, but I thought that (depending on federal funding) there was a possibility that the gold line could still end up being implemented as rail instead of BRT. I would think that passage of the infrastructure bills in DC might make that more of a possibility. But again, I may be mistaken.

I am crossing my fingers for this to happen--It just makes the most sense all together.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by paul78701

I may be mistaken, but I thought that (depending on federal funding) there was a possibility that the gold line could still end up being implemented as rail instead of BRT. I would think that passage of the infrastructure bills in DC might make that more of a possibility. But again, I may be mistaken.

They said that any additional funds (if any, especially with potential cost increases for the tunnel) would go to finishing off the full system plan, which includes light rail for gold.

I'd expect the other metrorapid lines to be first in line, from bang-for-buck perspective and as they give a greater geographic reach and council district equity. They'll also be lower cost than anything else.

At that point, they'll have to trade off Gold Line LRT vs. the orange line extensions (assuming they won't have enough for everything). I'm guessing the north extension of the orange line goes first. Once they get the orange to tech ridge, a lot of commuter buses from Round Rock, Pflugerville, etc. can connect in to there. The same would apply to orange line to slaughter, of course, but there's a greater population and potential ridership north.

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by Novacek

They said that any additional funds (if any, especially with potential cost increases for the tunnel) would go to finishing off the full system plan, which includes light rail for gold.

I'd expect the other metrorapid lines to be first in line, from bang-for-buck perspective and as they give a greater geographic reach and council district equity. They'll also be lower cost than anything else.

At that point, they'll have to trade off Gold Line LRT vs. the orange line extensions (assuming they won't have enough for everything). I'm guessing the north extension of the orange line goes first. Once they get the orange to tech ridge, a lot of commuter buses from Round Rock, Pflugerville, etc. can connect in to there. The same would apply to orange line to slaughter, of course, but there's a greater population and potential ridership north.

The Orange North extension + Gold seems to be the smartest move to me for the first expansions to the system.

I'm hoping that the next bond package for LRT is for the Metro-rapid 803 route being converted down to the Westgate transit center and/or Oak Hill/finishing off the orange line and the new Parmer + Expo/MLK metrorapid routes

[drummer]

Controversy brews over TxDOT's plans for I-35 expansion project in Central Austin

TxDOT's proposed plans for the project would result in the demolition of dozens of businesses and homes in Central Austin.

The public can still weigh in on the project through Sept. 24 by visiting the project's website.

https://www.kvue.com/article/money/econo...269-c3e96942-c307-4f42-adbf-7d35078a91fe


Project website can be found here.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by drummer

Controversy brews over TxDOT's plans for I-35 expansion project in Central Austin



https://www.kvue.com/article/money/econo...269-c3e96942-c307-4f42-adbf-7d35078a91fe


Project website can be found here.

I'm shocked south Austin isn't more up in arms that they're getting the new upper deck.

[valhalla]

^WTF. I'm generally in favor of the i-45 rebuild, but there are some parts of this that are just downright unacceptable. Look at what is proposed for the area next to UT. It looks like its taking away a substantial chunk of the UT campus. I can't imagine that UT is fine with that. Given all the political power the university has, I'm hoping they can get TXDOT to redesign this proposed section of the new highway.

[Echostatic]

The proposed ROW lies entirely within the existing ROW along the UT campus.

[valhalla]

Originally Posted by Echostatic

The proposed ROW lies entirely within the existing ROW along the UT campus.

I took another look, and you're right. The new basketball arena is throwing off my perception of campus.

Still, my original point stands. I can't imagine UT is happy with this 12 lane nightmare further splitting its campus in two. I have to imagine the higher-ups there will push back against TXDOT and try to negotiate something that allows for caps or at least a decent stitch to connect east campus to west. This highway rebuild is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for UT.

[austlar1]

Does Mt. Calvary Cemetery just to the north survive unscathed?

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by valhalla

I took another look, and you're right. The new basketball arena is throwing off my perception of campus.

Still, my original point stands. I can't imagine UT is happy with this 12 lane nightmare further splitting its campus in two. I have to imagine the higher-ups there will push back against TXDOT and try to negotiate something that allows for caps or at least a decent stitch to connect east campus to west. This highway rebuild is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for UT.

UT is probably in favor of doing something now, and will work constructively in the process. The corridor is essential for moving faculty and staff to and from campus, and is becoming more so given the high cost of living in the core relative to what UT can afford to pay its employees vis-a-vis the suburbs.

Furthermore, only TWELVE properties are going to be impacted by right of way expansion… 12. One zero. Ten plus two. Not sure that qualifies as horrible.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by austlar1

Does Mt. Calvary Cemetery just to the north survive unscathed?

If I recall correctly, cemeteries are de facto protected under federal law because it requires compensation for the entire removal and relocation process for all graves, disclosure to primary survivors, and in many cases a lengthy archaeological review process. The cost and time delays that come along with are rarely worth it.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

UT is probably in favor of doing something now, and will work constructively in the process. The corridor is essential for moving faculty and staff to and from campus, and is becoming more so given the high cost of living in the core relative to what UT can afford to pay its employees vis-a-vis the suburbs.

Furthermore, only TWELVE properties are going to be impacted by right of way expansion… 12. One zero. Ten plus two. Not sure that qualifies as horrible.

TxDot says 140 properties, including 70 residential properties.

https://capexcentral.mobility35openhouse...dIfdYV0LPPKFlQM5JWOK47KL9PdZxcRaonmUEEok

Page 21

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

If I recall correctly, cemeteries are de facto protected under federal law because it requires compensation for the entire removal and relocation process for all graves, disclosure to primary survivors, and in many cases a lengthy archaeological review process. The cost and time delays that come along with are rarely worth it.

TxDot is proposing a quarter acre from the cemetery. They claim that radar shows no graves there.

Previous link, page 23

[freerover]

It's just funny that Alt 1 was ever an option. The only way that we were ever going to afford it is with the toll lanes.