Lone Star Rail District plans to connect Austin, San Antonio

Union Pacific also involved

Steve Hawley, Nov 13, 09.

The Lone Star Rail District is taking its next steps toward implementing commuter rail service between Austin and San Antonio, according to Fox 7 News in Austin.

The District will hold dozens of public meetings along the I-35 corridor to examine potential environmental impacts, as well as possible locations for up to 16 stations. Funding for the project, which would likely share Union Pacific Railroad’s freight rail lines, would come from the state and federal governments. The proposed plan would include stations in Georgetown, Round Rock, McNeil Junction, The Domain, Near Camp Mabry, Downtown Austin, Slaughter Lane, Buda/Kyle and San Marcos.

The Lone Star Rail District, which was formed in 2003, notes in a press release that it has achieved several milestones this year, including state and federal funding, freight rail relocation funding, an agreement with Union Pacific to create a feasibility study, and a market research program to gauge interest in the route.

(Photo credit: sahmeditor)