The Austin Transit Partnership suggested the city should add new light rail stations and change the layout for Guadalupe Street as a part of the Austin Light Rail Phase 1 in a Jan. 10 report.
The Austin Light Rail Phase 1 is part of Project Connect, a $7.1 billion transit system that will add a new light rail, Capital Metro Rapid Lines and more transportation services around the city, according to the Project Connect Office website. The effort is expected to start construction in 2027.
The Austin Transit Partnership, a government corporation focused on implementing the light rail system, released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement to ensure the project receives federal funding. The document outlines the effects the light rail may have on surrounding areas.
In the report, the corporation proposed pedestrianizing Guadalupe Street. The Transit Partnership recommended establishing a light rail and pedestrian corridor on 29th and 27th streets, along with a transit and pedestrian corridor between 27th and 21st streets.
Jennifer Pyne, executive vice president for planning, community and federal programs for the corporation, said the agency proposed these plans after hearing feedback.
“There’s so much heavy pedestrian use along The Drag, a lot of people crossing the streets all the time,” Pyne said. “The proposal is to really make it a much more pedestrian-friendly segment of Guadalupe along The Drag by emphasizing safe pedestrian ways as well as safe bikeways and still have space for the light rail and the bus transit to be running through the area.”
Jack Chrismon, a government and international relations and global studies sophomore, lives near Guadalupe Street and often crosses it to visit friends in West Campus. He said he worries about reckless driving in the area and would feel safer if the proposed plan is approved.
“I’m super excited to see how (the plan) turns out,” Chrismon said. “It’ll make walking and crossing from campus into West Campus so much nicer for every student.”
Luke Weber, a geography and sustainability studies junior, said making Guadalupe Street more pedestrian-friendly would better connect the University to off-campus areas.
“I think the project is going to make West Campus feel more (like) a part of UT’s greater campus,” Weber said.
The corporation also recommended adding a new light rail station, called the UT Station, at the West Mall entrance to campus.
“Having a stop at West Mall where that huge bus station is right now would be great,” Chrismon said. “It could certainly draw people into UT’s campus.”
To accommodate the light rail, the Transit Partnership proposed to remove up to 607 on-street parking spaces, most of which are located on Guadalupe Street, Lavaca Street and South Congress Avenue.
Pyne said the corporation will communicate with business owners as the light rail design advances.
The city will release more details on construction schedules next year, Pyne said. The Transit Partnership will host a meeting at the Texas Union on Jan. 28 to hear public opinion on the proposed designs.
“Austin has doubled in size every 20 years,” Pyne said. “(With the light rail,) you know how long it’ll take you to make your trip, even as the world around you has gotten more congested. It’s going to be a huge benefit.”
