Austin voters approve $7 billion Prop A transit project

AUSTIN, Texas — Proposition A, the $7 billion project to expand bus and rail lines across Austin, has been approved by voters.

The massive undertaking, Project Connect, promises to beef up mass transit and cut down on traffic.

It will allow for a dedicated rail line to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as well as expanded north-south rail service.

The City of Austin released the following statements on the passage of both Prop A and Prop B:

Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk:

“With the passage of Proposition A, voters have given the green light to a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revolutionize our transportation infrastructure and provide people in our community with a safe, reliable way to get around. Project Connectwill bebetterforourresidents’health, the environment, our safety, and our economic prosperity. Now, in partnershipwith the community, we are ready to begin the hard work tomakethisvision a reality.

“With voters’ support for Proposition B, we also begin efforts to investan additional $460 millionintransportation infrastructure–including sidewalks, bikeways, urban trails, and safety projects– toimprove safety and mobility for our community, consistent with the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan.”

Gina Fiandaca, Assistant City Manager for Mobility, on the next steps for Project Connect:

“Work begins now to stand up a new local government corporation, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), to deliver Project Connect in a transparent, efficient and timely manner, in line with the Contract with Voters. Our immediate next steps are to recruit and appoint the first ATP board, craft its first budget, and begin the environmental process for individual projects. We look forward to engaging with the community as we move forward with our partners to reshape transit in Austin.”

About City of Austin Propositions A and B

On August 12, 2020, the Austin City Council ordered two propositions related to transportation be added to the general election occurring on November 3, 2020.

Proposition A asked voters to vote for or against approving the City’s property tax rate and dedicating 8.75-cents towards the implementation of Project Connect. The property tax revenue will provide funding for the capital cost plus operations and maintenance of the transit system once built. The initial investment also includes $300 million for transit-supportive anti-displacement housing strategies. The dedicated property tax revenue, along with Capital Metro revenue and Federal funding, will be directed to a new, independent government organization called the Austin Transit Partnership to oversee, finance and implement Project Connect.

Proposition B asked voters to vote for or against $460M in voter-approved general obligation bonds for transportation infrastructure including sidewalks, transportation-related bikeways, urban trails, transportation safety projects (Vision Zero), safe routes to school and substandard streets.