DALLAS — A coalition of Austin area transportation and government organizations called Project Connect has unveiled plans for rapid transit connections to the Texas capital's northern suburbs expected to cost about $164 million.
The North Corridor plan calls for several different types of services, including the extension of the under construction MetroRapid bus rapid transit lines into Round Rock, Georgetown and Plfugerville.
Other services would include bus service to new destinations and park-and-ride facilities in Williamson County north of Austin.
"By 2035, half the population of Williamson and Travis counties will reside in the North Corridor — More than 1.3 million people — and 66% of all jobs in Williamson and Travis Counties and 55% of all jobs in the five-county region will be located there," Round Rock Mayor Alan McGraw said in a statement announcing the plan. "The North Corridor is growing rapidly and we can't wait any longer to do something about it."
Projects in the North Corridor can be completed in phases depending on funding sources, officials said. If completed fully, the plan would cost an estimated $164 million, which Project Connect said is less than the cost of a typical highway interchange.
Project Connect plans to work with communities and local governments to identify funding sources, conduct environmental studies and establish project timelines.
Project Connect is also working on a plan for the Central Corridor that will connect downtown Austin and the University of Texas with surrounding neighborhoods.
The partners on the projects include the Capital Metro transportation authority, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Lone Star Rail District, the Central Corridor Advisory Group, the city of Austin and other organizations.
"We now have a plan to develop real, attainable, high-capacity transit tools that can give North Corridor commuters more options for getting around within this most congested area in our region," Capital Metro chief executive Linda S. Watson said in a prepared statement.
