Austin ponders adding streetcar
Written by Douglas John BowenTexas' state capital, still recovering after establishing with difficulty a diesel light rail transit (DLRT) line designated as "commuter rail" by federal officials, now is turning its attention to streetcar possibilities.
Austin, Tex., is considering streetcar operations linking the city’s Convention Center with the state Capitol complex and the University of Texas. Initial cost estimates range from $400 million to $425 million, including a maintenance and storage facility.
City staff members will provide updated cost estimates and outline various funding possibilities, including a November city bond election, at City Council work sessions Tuesday and on May 29.
Austin’s anti-rail partisans, still taking shots at the existing MetroRail line, are calling streetcar operations too costly and ineffective at addressing congestion.
City officials have said they might ask Austin voters to approve up to $200 million in bonds in November for the first phase. Borrowing and spending that money, which would be paid back from property tax revenue, would be dependent on the city successfully competing for federal transit New Starts and/or Small Starts funding.
The City Council will decide in August what to put on the November ballot.
Last week El Paso, Tex., approved an engineering and environmental assessment for a streetcar system.
