06 Draft Recommendation: Austin Light Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation No. 20250304-006: Austin Light Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement D R A F T WHEREAS, the Project Connect Contract with the Voters defines project connect as “a highcapacity transit system, to address the City's transit needs for safer, faster, and more reliable transportation that will improve access to essential services, such as education, health care, grocery stores, childcare, and jobs, especially in historically underserved and underrepresented communities;” WHEREAS, the ballot language for Proposition A of the November 3rd, 2020 election noted that Project Connect would include “associated road, sidewalk, bike, and street lighting improvements;” WHEREAS, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) oversees the design, construction, and completion of the Project Connect Light Rail Implimnetation Plan; WHEREAS, on May 2nd, 2023 the City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) recommended that the City of Austin and ATP engage “in a scoping project for multimodal investments to ensure light rail integrates with and expands Austin's existing and future pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connections;” WHEREAS, Project Connect is essential to accomplishing the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan’s 50/50 mode split goal by 2039; and WHERAS, on January 10th, 2025 ATP released the Draft Enviormental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Austin Light Rail Phase 1 Project; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends ATP move forward with all light rail design elements and options suggested in the Draft EIS; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends that, in keeping with the Contract with the Voters, ATP should prioritize right-of-way for pedestrians, bicyclists, micromobility users, and other transit options in future design iterations over preserving access for private auto traffic.  Motioned by: Seconded by: Date of Approval: 3/4/2025 Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) D R A F T