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Austin light‑rail scores "medium‑high" FTA rating as ATP readies for contractor onboarding and NEPA closeout
Summary
Austin Transit Partnership staff told the board that the Federal Transit Administration gave Project Connect a "medium‑high" rating and that the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision are expected by year‑end. Staff outlined a staggered Q1–Q2 2026 plan to onboard progressive design‑build teams, begin preconstruction work and proceed with right‑of‑way and utility steps needed for construction readiness.
Austin Transit Partnership staff told the board on Nov. 19 that the Federal Transit Administration has included the Project Connect light‑rail entry on its FY2026 recommendations and assigned the project a “medium‑high” rating, a signal staff described as positioning Austin competitively for federal funding. Lindsay Wood, ATP’s Executive Vice President for Design and Construction, said the rating reflects the project’s performance across factors including land use, ridership potential and connectivity.
The rating comes as ATP expects to complete the NEPA process this year with a Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, Wood said. "The FEIS will include responses to thousands of public comments, some design updates and commitments to…
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