TRAVIS County Commissioners, in the US state of Texas, have awarded a $US 124,953 contract to HNTB to conduct a feasibility study to explore the potential for a commuter rail service between Austin and San Antonio.
The study, which is expected to be completed in summer 2026, will examine current rail infrastructure and potential service options, focusing on using highway rights-of-way.
The proposed route would be about 130km long and extend from State Highway 130 near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Interstate 10 in San Antonio.
“This is looking at if we can squeeze a passenger rail route in the right-of-way that does not involve taking a lot of private land,” says Travis County judge, Andy Brown. “I think that makes the possibility of getting rail between Austin down to Bexar County that much more realistic."
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently studying the potential for introducing a passenger service on the existing freight line. But Brown is doubtful whether the line has the capacity for both passenger and freight trains. “That’s why county leaders are now looking into this alternate route,” Brown said.
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