Decision Time for Bus Rapid Transit on I-35 in Austin

"Time is running out for the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority to decide whether it will commit millions toward a vision that could bring dedicated transit infrastructure to I-35," reports Caleb Pritchard.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is waiting on a timeline for a proposed plan to rebuild I-35 from Georgetown to San Marcos, requiring urgent action by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Under the proposal, Capital Metro would "offer TxDOT $18 million to reserve right of way on the interstate that could be used for three bus rapid transit stations to be built in the middle of the highway."

"The bus line that would service those stations would operate in new express lanes that TxDOT is planning to add to the freeway," according to Pritchard.

Pritchard provides more details on the evolution of the proposal, which was originally envisioned as a "super bus rapid transit." The BRT portion of the current plan would dedicate $400 million, or ten percent of the entire $4 billion I-35 project.