Austin Rail Map With Proposed Extensions as of 2025 (Project Connect and Regional Rail Proposals)

This map shows various currently existing rail proposals for Austin, Tx. The Red line currently exists, with the exception of the downtown extension and various proposed stations to fill in coverage, which were mostly not built due to funding or politics. The green line is expected to be completed by 2033 and, like the red line, uses existing AWRR rail RoW. Project connect was passed in 2020 and has since been delayed by legal and funding struggles: it incorporated the preexisting green line and included 3 more lines along with bus improvements, not shown. Due to changes since passing, it's unlikely the second bridge will be built over the Colorado River along the cyan line and Rainey will connect to Lakeshore via I-35, by passing Travis Heights. Downtown routes also initially included tunnels, and these are now unlikely. Also shown are proposed regional rail routes; the southern two were recently approved funding for study, with some creative station placement on my part. These heavy rail proposals are shown as magenta and purple and show 4 possible lines (two north and two south) using existing rail infrastructure (Union Pacific). Included separately is a proposal by myself and others to take advantage of the rebuilding of I-35 to include a Rail line, shown as the Grey line, which I have turning east to complement the green line, but can branch north as shown in the gold line extension. Should the proposed Grey line be built before the gold, the gold line can run a block west along San Jacinto-Duval (possibly running in parallel thru downtown along Trinity & San Jac to align with one-way traffic flow) to better improve access and transfer to Red River St at Waterloo park to align with the downtown station or bypass downtown & Republic Sq station altogether and run down Brazos or Congress. Project Connect westbound stops at Republic square (and has Red and Green stopping at downtown), but I imagine extending the downtown 4th street rail corridor to the existing Amtrak station at 5th and Lamar and rebuilding the area as a Central Station to align with regional Rail connections. Should Regional Rail be built, I imagine a second major station at McNeil, with Amtrak connections. Lastly shown are various line extensions to improve coverage and connections should newfound political will or a generous source of funding be found. Other routes not shown include a SW line branching to Bee Caves (Hill Country Galleria) and Dripping Springs, possibly done by branching the Orange line and the Cyan at the Triangle to run the Orange line down Lamar through the central station and Southwest along S. Lamar and extending the Gold line south to cover the change in coverage for Orange. Local Rail proposals for San Antonio or regional extensions to the Killeen-Temple metro are not considered.