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Light Rail
What is Light Rail? — Light Rail is an electric train system used in metropolitan areas. Light rail trains can travel at street level, on elevated structures or underground. The “light” in light rail refers to its smaller size, compared to larger trains that ride on more traditional tracks, such as Austin’s existing Red Line commuter rail. Light rail is part of the overall transit network, connecting people to key destinations where they live, work and play.
Austin Light Rail Is Moving Forward!
The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP)—the independent entity tasked with implementing Project Connect—appreciates the tremendous amount of input we have received from Austinites as we work to expand and improve our public transportation network. Read ATP's staff recommendation for the initial phase of light rail below.
Thank you for all your great feedback, Austin!
Review the Community Engagement Report
What's Happening Next?
May 2nd concluded the current phase of engagement for Austin’s core light rail system. ATP staff has analyzed the comments, check out the report to review the findings.
You may continue to learn about Austin Light Rail from our webpage and through the self-guided Virtual Open House. There will be additional opportunities for Austinites to continue providing comments on light rail options before the joint partnership meeting on June 6.
Austin Transit Partnership Data Portal
This data informed the development of the five light rail options presented to the public in March 2023 (below). The Austin Light Rail Data Portal is under development and is designed to provide information used in the planning process such as data sets, links to externally hosted data sets, and insights on how to use them.
Access the Austin Transit Partnership Data Portal from the link below:
Austin Light Rail Options for Community Feedback
The below maps and descriptions show different options for Austin’s Light Rail that are currently being considered for the core light rail system. Take the self-guided tour of these options from the Virtual Open House (VOH). Please note that you may learn about these options but may not provide feedback through the VOH at this time. If you would like to contact us, please email input@atptx.org. More information will be shared soon.
Visit the Light Rail Virtual Open House!
Download Light Rail Options Fact Sheet (English)
Descargar hoja informativa sobre las opciones del tren ligero (Español)
¡Visite la reunión virtual sobre el tren ligero!
Description
- On-street from 38th Street on Guadalupe Street to Oltorf Street on South Congress Avenue and Yellow Jacket Lane on East Riverside Drive
- Potential to extend endpoints to 45th Street to the north or St. Edwards Drive to the south
- Lady Bird Lake crossing options at South 1st Street or Trinity Street
Description
- On-street from North Lamar Transit Center on North Lamar Boulevard to Pleasant Valley Road on East Riverside Drive
- Lady Bird Lake crossing options at South 1st Street or Trinity Street
Description
- On-street from 29th Street on Guadalupe Street to east of Yellow Jacket Lane on East Riverside Drive
- Mainly elevated from SH 71 to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
- Lady Bird Lake crossing at Trinity Street
Description
- On-street from 29th Street on Guadalupe Street to south of 8th Street
- Elevated from south of 8th Street on Guadalupe Street to east of Auditorium Shores with elevated stations
- On-street from east of Auditorium Shores to Oltorf Street on South Congress Avenue and Yellow Jacket Lane on East Riverside Drive
- Lady Bird Lake crossing at South 1st Street
Description
- Underground from 20th Street on Guadalupe Street (UT) to south of 8th Street with one underground station
- Elevated from south of 8th Street on Guadalupe Street to east of Auditorium Shores with elevated stations
- On-street from east of Auditorium Shores to Yellow Jacket Lane on East Riverside Drive
- Lady Bird Lake crossing at South 1st Street
Download a Light Rail Options Fact Sheet (English)(PDF)
Descargar Hoja Informativa sobre las Opciones del Tren Ligero (Español)(PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You ask, we answer. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for a few questions we get the most. We update these regularly from what we hear in the community so check back often! If you don't see what's on your mind, send us an email at input@atptx.org.
Original Orange Line - 2020
The proposed Orange Line project is a 20-mile light rail transit (LRT) corridor that would travel along Lamar Boulevard and Congress Avenue from the Tech Ridge Park & Ride at Howard Lane south to Slaughter Lane.
Original Blue Line - 2020
The proposed Blue Line Project is an 8.2-mile light rail transit (LRT) corridor that would operate from Republic Square in downtown Austin to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) .