44 replies to this topic

[Sloan]

http://www.statesman...on-2075477.html

[KevinKorell]

Editorial is a mixed bag of optimism and pessimism; even they doubt that the "5-7 years" prediction will hold true.

[Sloan]

Somewhat related to L-Star, but the focus is on Austin, TX area.

Express lanes on highways, existing and new rail service, and rapid transit are all components of the regional vision that when connected to the local bus network will provide real improvements in the region's mobility and connect cities and major activity centers throughout the region, according to the Transit Working Group.

http://www.railwayag...html?channel=62

[KevinKorell]

And I can't figure out what this is, as I thought that L-Star's route had already been set. It almost sounds like a hybrid of L-Star and Cap Metro's MetroRail Red Line (current commuter rail), as they mention Leander as one of the elements of the plan. My take was that L-Star and the existing MetroRail were separate entities, but that they would intersect somewhere in the Austin area to feed one another.

[KevinKorell]

San Antonio, TX Express-News, 4/5/13:

Does LSTAR need a San Antonio cheerleader?

It sounds like a great idea, particularly when you're stuck in wall-to-wall traffic: build a passenger rail line between Austin and San Antonio that can shuttle people between the two cities in an hour and a half or less, and help dilute the congestion on Interstate 35.

Story is here.

Don't hold your breath on this one, folks. LSTAR's website says that it will be 2015 or 2016 before the project even goes to final design followed by construction. So I estimate it would be close to the end of this decade before one could possibly ride it.

[KevinKorell]

We're now hearing a timeframe of 6-10 years --- perhaps 6 for a partial service and 10 for the whole line to be open. Here is the latest from the San Antonio, TX Express News, 9/3/13:

Rail leader: S.A.-Austin train service by 2023

The head of the Lone Star Rail District told Schertz Chamber of Commerce members Aug. 20 that a regional commuter rail service could be up and running within 10 years.

Joe Black, rail district director, told the monthly luncheon gathering at the Schertz Civic Center that a lot of work needs to be done before the proposed 118-mile passenger rail service between Georgetown and San Antonio is completed.

Here is the story.

[Sloan]

Georgetown rejoins proposed Lone Star commuter rail

Subscription required to read whole story:

http://www.mystatesm...tatesman_launch

[KevinKorell]

Subscription required to read whole story:

And the rule we've followed over the past 10 years is that we don't post articles that require subscription, unless it's a totally free registration.

Only a teaser story remains, and what I can deduce from it is that Georgetown had pulled out of the Lone Star commuter rail district, and then has now rejoined. Had that they remained out, L-Star would still have been built between Austin and San Antonio, but now it will once more have another 25 miles or so north of Austin to Georgetown.

[KevinKorell]

Here is a story one can read from start to finish for free on the Georgetown situation.

[KevinKorell]

WOAI Radio, San Antonio, TX, 11/20/14:

Ambitious San Antonio to Austin Passenger Rail Plans Unveiled

After sitting on the back burner for a decade, officials of the Lone Star Rail District told the Urban Land Institute that they are ready to move forward with passenger rail between San Antonio and Austin, Newsradio 1200 WOAI reports.

This is the latest. Good to hear at least something about LSTAR.