Dec 2, 2025 | 4:25 pm
Austin’s slow-evolving light rail is one step closer to finally becoming a reality thanks to a federal funding recommendation, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) gave the first phase of the project a “medium” justification rating and a “medium-high” financial commitment rating in its Annual Report on Funding Recommendations.
A light rail is a passenger train with a lighter capacity than a commuter rail, which Austin
heading toward Leander. The first phase as presented by the Austin Transit Partnership will have 15 stops at places like the airport, Pleasant Valley, South Congress, Cesar Chavez, the University of Texas, and as far north as Crestview (bounded by Burnet Road, West Anderson Road, and North Lamar Boulevard). It will also add a bridge over Lady Bird Lake…