Austin Light Rail: Your January 2025 Guide to Austin’s Light Rail Progress

Austin Light Rail
Despite a series of legal and funding challenges, Austin's ambitious light rail project is moving full steam ahead. Here's the latest as of January 2025.
by Kelly Daacon

Despite a series of legal and funding challenges, Austin’s ambitious light rail project is moving full steam ahead, with major developments unfolding in early 2025. The transformative transit system promises to reshape how Austinites move through the city, offering a sustainable solution to the region’s transportation challenges.

Austin Light Rail

A New Transit Experience for Austin

The initial phase of Austin Light Rail will span 9.8 miles, featuring 15 stations that connect key points north, south, and east of downtown Austin. Designed to run every 5-10 minutes, the system will provide reliable service to major job centers, educational hubs, and popular destinations throughout the city. The line is projected to serve approximately 28,000 riders on an average weekday, connecting them to areas that currently host 136,000 jobs – with access to more than 200,000 jobs expected in the future.

The project is expected to reduce annual vehicle miles traveled by over 20 million, contributing to improved air quality. The system will run on electricity, with Austin Energy committed to providing carbon-free power by 2035. Beyond environmental benefits, the project will generate approximately 10,000 jobs during construction and development.

Project Updates and Environmental Review

A crucial milestone is currently underway with the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and public input (more on that below). The DEIS examines how the light rail system will affect the city’s natural, human, and social environment.

The DEIS revealed some design refinements, including:

  • A new downtown station near Wooldridge Square
  • Extended bridge crossing over Lady Bird Lake with an elevated Waterfront Station
  • Refined station locations along East Riverside
  • Advanced greenway concept featuring continuous bike and pedestrian corridors with enhanced tree canopy
Austin Riverside Light Rail Project Connect

Delivery Partner Selected

In a significant step forward, Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) recently selected AECOM as its Delivery Partner. AECOM’s team will augment ATP’s existing staff of experts, providing crucial professional services throughout the final design, construction, and launch phases. ATP is now initiating procurement of final design and construction contracts valued at more than $4 billion, marking a key transition toward construction.

Public Input Opportunities

Residents can participate in several upcoming public meetings to learn more and provide feedback:

  • January 16: Lively Middle School (201 E Mary St.)
  • January 22: Baker Center (3908 Avenue B)
  • January 25: Montopolis Rec Center (1200 Montopolis Dr.)
  • January 28: UT Quadrangle Room (2308 Whitis Ave.)

Those unable to attend in person can review materials and submit comments online through the project website.

Looking Ahead

The project is advancing through several major phases:

  • Planning, Design & Project Development (2023-2026): Currently underway, focusing on preliminary design, engineering, environmental review, and fulfilling federal funding requirements
  • Engineering & Permitting (2026-2027): Finalizing detailed designs, technical specifications, and securing necessary permits and land
  • Construction & Testing (2027-2033): Ground preparation, track installation, station construction, and comprehensive testing of trains and systems
  • Service Launch (2033): Opening of the full 9.8-mile line, connecting 38th Street to Oltorf and extending east from Downtown to East Riverside

As Austin continues to grow, Project Connect represents a significant step toward creating a more sustainable and accessible transportation network. The light rail system will not only provide new transit options but also integrate with existing transportation infrastructure, creating tree-lined corridors and pedestrian-friendly spaces that enhance the city’s livability.

For more information about the project or to review the complete Draft Environmental Impact Statement, visit atptx.org.