Project Connect transit plan one step closer to becoming reality

AUSTIN, Texas - A plan that would change the way people get around Austin could soon be one step closer to becoming reality. 

Austin City Council and the Capital Metro board are voting on the final Project Connect transit plan.

Over the last two years, Cap Metro has received community feedback from nearly 60,000 community members to design a recommended system plan.

Austin's population is expected to double in 20 years. Cap Metro says the plan would update the public transportation system to keep up with that.

The goal is to ease traffic, reduce carbon emissions, and expand access to education, health care, and jobs.

The system would triple ridership to help keep up with Austin's expanding population.

Project Connect would help boost economic recovery by supporting more than 200,000 jobs over the length of the entire project.

If approved, a joint oversight board known as the Austin Transit Partnership would present various projects within the program. 

Investment strategies for Project Connect could include a voter-approved tax election as well as grants from the federal government.

The virtual meeting between city council members and the Cap Metro board begins at noon.

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