If you were looking for more reasons to move to Austin, look no further than Project Connect. Originally envisioned to link Austin geographically, this project has grown into much more than an interconnected transportation system. Project Connect will improve public transportation for the entirety of Central Texas while providing better access to housing, entertainment, activity centers, and more.

Fondly known as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, Austin has increased exponentially since 2020, both in population and development. And with such immense growth comes the need for stellar transit systems. This is where Project Connect comes in, connecting far East Austin to the rest of the metro through public transportation. 

The City’s Investment

With its initial approval in November 2020, 8.75 cents of Austin’s property tax rate revenue would be dedicated to funding this project. $300 million of the city’s initial investment will go towards Project Connect’s Anti-Displacement Initiatives, designed to help affordable areas stay affordable for residents who wish to remain near transit lines.

In early April 2022, a new report announced that cost estimates were rapidly increasing for elements of Project Connect, nearly doubling the initial $5.8 billion investment presented to the community. 

A Breakdown Of The New Lines

Blue Line

The Blue Line will run for 8.2 miles, from the airport, over Lady Bird Lake, and into Downtown Austin. Designed to improve high-capacity transit (HCT), support air travel growth at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and provide access to affordable housing, employment, and activity centers, this line is estimated to take nine years to complete.

Orange Line

The Orange Line is a 20-mile light rail transit with 22 stations that will operate along Lamar Boulevard and Congress Avenue south to Slaughter Lane, connecting the UT campus and downtown. It is scheduled for completion in nine years and will help eliminate transportation congestion and create a reliable, safe, cost-effective HCT option.

Red Line

When complete in three years, the Red Line will run from downtown across Central and Northwest Austin, connecting the more extensive transit system as a whole. This line is focused on connecting residents to activity centers, impacting neighborhoods like Crestview through Park and Rides at Howard, Lakeline, and Leander. It is a 32-mile and 9-station route, with new stations set for Broadmoor/Domain and McKalla at the Austin FC MLS soccer stadium.

Green Line

The Green Line will cover 25 miles and connect ten stations. Scheduled to be completed in five years, it will run along CapMetro’s freight line from downtown Austin to Colony Park, with future development to Manor and Elgin. This line will emphasize transit for households within Central Austin and beyond and provide connectivity to the Red Line and CapMetro’s bus network.

Benefits For Austin

By expanding and improving the transit network already in place, this program will connect people to opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Streamlining access to healthcare, education, entertainment, and affordable housing, all while striving to maintain sustainability, this program promises great things. 

With the city’s interconnectedness, the real estate market will flourish. Residents of Austin’s bordering neighborhoods will now have easier access to the city’s exciting downtown. This will make those areas prime real estate for homebuyers wanting to enjoy both the excitement of the city and the tranquility of Austin’s suburbs.

Project Connect’s vision to create more sustainable, equitable, and liveable interconnected communities will cement Austin as the central hub of Texas.

If you have any questions about the future of Austin real estate with Project Connect, please contact me at tmcneil@kw.com or call 970-627-7392.

Images courtesy of Project Connect.