metroexpress improvements sh 45 to georgetown, ... enhancement program briefing book and project...

MetroExpress Improvements

Short-term improvements to keep Austin moving.

Enhancements

MetroRapid MetroRail MetroExpressMobility Hubs

Long-term projects to support our future.

Investments

ConnectorsCommuters Circulators

Project ConnectProject Connect is the Central Texas high-capacity transit plan that will create real, tangible transit projects that offer an alternative to mind-numbing traffic congestion. It’s not about a single train or bus route, but a robust transit system that improves travel into, out of and around Central Austin from the surrounding region.

It will provide options that build upon one another and create a system to move more people, more quickly. The end result will connect residents, businesses, schools, services, and shopping through a high-capacity transit network.

MetroExpressCapital Metro operates MetroExpress service in order to provide a limited stop service between central Austin and regional communities such as Leander, Round Rock and Manor. Capital Metro currently has 8 MetroExpress routes that utilize highway and tollways in order to provide travel time savings to riders.

Many MetroExpress riders access the system by driving to park & rides near regional highways which helps to get cars off the road in the areas with the highest congestion. In order to expand the system, partnerships will need to be created with communities outside of the Capital Metro service area by bringing them into the service area or through the use of transit development plans or coordination with other transportation providers such as CARTS.

Key TermsPark & Ride Basic facilities typically designed for transferring from cars to transit

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Project Overview Flip Book - DRAFTMetroExpressCorridor Introduction

MetroExpress

How MetroExpress Connects the RegionThe Austin region is growing tremendously and that growth isn’t always within the boundaries of the City of Austin. Capital Metro connects communities surrounding Austin through its MetroExpress service that provides a direct link between regional suburbs to the urban core of Austin and the highest concentration of jobs.

Capital Metro currently provides a variety of MetroExpress routes to communities to the Northwest of Austin and the northern extent of Austin all of which lie within the Capital Metro service area. There are many other areas of the region that would like to have that same direct MetroExpress connection, but are located outside of Capital Metro’s service area. Through the use of partnerships with other agencies and surrounding communities, Capital Metro can expand the reach of their service to all corners of the region including: Hutto, Georgetown, Bastrop, Lockhart, Buda and Oak Hill.

To improve the speed and reliability of MetroExpress, Capital Metro coordinates with CTRMA to open express lanes and toll roads to MetroExpress buses in order to zip by traffic. By partnering with the City of Austin, enhancements to 5th/6th St and Cesar Chavez between the Mopac and Republic Square can further improve speed by cutting further through downtown traffic. Through the use of these partnerships and enhancements to existing roadways, Capital Metro can provide a MetroExpress service that creates an alternative to driving in traffic that is fast, reliable and near you.

METROEXPRESS COST ESTIMATESLow

Investment:High

Investment:5th/6th Priority Lanes to Express Lanes

Enhancement Costs: $200,000 $900,000

Regional MetroExpress Enhancement Costs: $15,650,000 $38,600,000

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $15,850,000 $39,500,000

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Project Overview Flip Book - DRAFTMetroExpressRegional MetroExpress System

MetroExpress

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Project Overview Flip Book - DRAFTMetroExpressProposed Improvements

MetroExpress

Project Overview

The North market consists mainly of N MoPac north of 183, I-35 from SH 45 to Georgetown, and SH 45 from N MoPac to I-35. Much of this market is just beginning to be served by CapMetro through partnerships with the Cities of Round Rock and Georgetown. Currently, 1 MetroExpress route operates in this market serving 2 park & rides at Round Rock Transit Center and Howard Station. There is potential to extend Express service further north from its current endpoint in Round Rock all the way to Georgetown as the partnership grows.

North: Round Rock & Georgetown

ENHANCED COST ESTIMATESLevel Estimated Capital Cost Estimated O&M Cost

A $5.4M for buses $1.8MB $5.4M for buses $0.9MC $2.4M for buses $0.4M

Proposed Service LevelsLevel Type Hours of Operation

A All Day 6 a.m.—10 p.m.

B Full Peak 6—10 a.m. & 3 a.m.—7 p.m.

C Peak Limited 3 trips a.m. & p.m.

SITE PLAN AND CONCEPT

Potential Ridership~2,300/day*

*Potential ridership at highest service level

Proposed Express Route

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Northeast: Pflugerville & Hutto

MetroExpress





B Full Peak 6—10 a.m. & 3—7 p.m.


Project OverviewThe Northeast market consists mainly of US 290 to SH 130 and SH 130 to Hutto. CapMetro is currently supporting adoption of Transit Development Plans (TDPs) with the cities of Pflugerville and Hutto similar to the current partnerships with Round Rock and Georgetown. There are no MetroExpress routes that currently tap into this market. There is potential to provide Express service to the communities of Pflugerville and Hutto through the TDPs. Utilizing the SH 130 and Manor Expressway toll roads, CapMetro will be able to bypass traffic, providing service from Hutto all the way to Central Austin.

SITE PLAN AND CONCEPT

Potential Ridership~800/day*



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MetroExpress

Project Overview

The East market consists mainly of US 290 from Downtown Austin to Elgin. CapMetro currently provides service to Manor and service to Elgin through a partnership with CARTS. New buses are coming for this route in order to provide a more comfortable experience for CapMetro’s customers. Utilizing the Manor Expressway toll road, CapMetro is able to bypass traffic, providing service from Manor to Central Austin.

East: Manor & Elgin










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MetroExpress

Project OverviewThe Southeast market consists mainly of SH 71 to Bastrop connecting to Downtown Austin via US 183 and 7th Street. There are no MetroExpress routes that currently tap into this market. There is potential to provide Express service to the communities of Cedar Creek and Bastrop through cooperation with CARTS by upgrading the existing Interurban service to MetroExpress service. Utilizing the SH 71 Express lanes and 183 South toll road, CapMetro will be able to bypass traffic, providing service from Central Austin to Del Valle.



Southeast: Del Valle to Bastrop







SITE PLAN AND CONCEPTProposed Express RouteProposed Express Route

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MetroExpress

Project OverviewThe South market consists mainly of US 183 to Lockhart connecting to Downtown Austin via 7th Street. There are no MetroExpress routes that currently tap into this market. There is potential to provide Express service by connecting to the growing Easton Park development and Lockhart through cooperation with CARTS by upgrading the existing Interurban service to MetroExpress vehicles. The route would use the US 183 toll road in order to bypass traffic coming into the core.

South: Easton Park & Lockhart


A $6M for buses $1.9MB $6M for buses $1.1MC $3M for buses $0.4M









MetroExpress



Project OverviewThe South Central market consists mainly of I-35 to Buda. CapMetro is currently supporting adoption of a Transit Development Plan (TDP) with Buda similar to the current partnerships with Round Rock and Georgetown. There are no MetroExpress routes that currently tap into this market. There is potential to provide Express service to the community of Buda through the TDP. This service would connect Buda to Southpark Meadows and Downtown Austin.

South Central: Buda








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MetroExpress

Project OverviewThe Southwest market consists mainly of US 290 to Oak Hill and S Mopac to Circle C. There are no MetroExpress routes that currently tap into this market. There are some MetroFlyer routes that reach these two areas but they do not operate as directly as Express routes. Upon completion of the S Mopac Express Lanes and Oak Hill Parkway Projects by CTRMA, CapMetro would be able to provide new MetroExpress service that will bypass traffic, utilizing the express lanes and toll roads from Oak Hill and Circle C all the way to Downtown Austin.



Southwest: Circle C and Oak Hill


A $3M for buses $1MB $3M for buses $0.7MC $1.8M for buses $0.2M





SITE PLAN AND CONCEPTProposed Express Route

Led by Capital Metro with support from the City of Austin.

Additional Information

Want to learn more?Go to www.projectconnect.com to read more about the work we’re doing through Project Connect.

Additional Project Connect briefing books:High Capacity Transit 101 briefing book

Investments program briefing book and project flip books

Enhancement program briefing book and project flip books

Project Connect Funding and Financing briefing book

Tell us what you think, take the Phase 2 Survey! https://www.capmetroengage.org/en/provide-input

https://capmetro.org/projectconnect/

https://www.capmetroengage.org/en/provide-input

Led by Capital Metro with support from the City of Austin.

Prepared by AECOM, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, and Alliance Transportation Group with

support from Bronner Group and Robin O’Connell Design

metroexpress improvements sh 45 to georgetown, ... enhancement program briefing book and project...

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