Project Connect: Major Milestones in Austin’s Light Rail Implementation

Over the past two years, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) has taken major steps toward delivering light rail for the City of Austin — progress that reflects years of planning, community leadership, and a shared commitment to building a more connected city.

Accelerator for America Action actively supported the passage of Proposition A in 2020, which secured more than $7 billion for Project Connect, Austin’s comprehensive transportation vision. Since then, we’ve followed the project from the ballot box through early implementation, developing a Living Case Story in 2024 to document Austin’s journey for other local leaders pursuing transformative transit investments.

Since the release of that first Living Case Story, ATP has reached significant milestones on the path to federal funding and recently took a major step toward beginning construction on Austin Light Rail in 2027.

Courtesy of ATP

Federal Progress & Contractor Selection

In November 2025, Austin Light Rail received a medium-high rating from the Federal Transit Administration — the highest rating awarded in the 2026 cycle. This rating signals strong federal confidence in the project’s readiness and local commitment.

Austin Light Rail also became the first light rail project in the United States to complete the federal environmental review process in under two years — meeting the accelerated timeline established to streamline major infrastructure delivery.

In February, Austin Transit Partnership selected Austin Rail Constructors (ARC) as the construction contractor for Austin Light Rail. The ATP Board’s approval of the award enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities and advance final design for Austin Light Rail under the first phase of what will be a multi-billion dollar contract.

“This is a big, important milestone for Austin Light Rail,” said ATP CEO Greg Canally. “ATP is highly focused on delivering this much‑needed mobility investment for Austin, and with this contract now in place, we are on track to begin construction in 2027. Not only is Austin getting this major transit project, but we are also creating thousands of jobs and economic opportunity here in Texas.”

Courtesy of ATP

Key Updates

PROJECT DELIVERY & PROCUREMENT: The ATP Board of Directors approved a contract award for ARC, allowing ATP to begin pre-construction activities and advance final design for Austin Light Rail. ATP completed the procurement in approximately one year, faster than many comparable mega projects nationwide.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: ATP's community engagement exceeded standard practice. They held more than four times as many public meetings as required and used technology and better methods to prepare the public for a long ride to project completion in 2033. This approach will be tested next year as ATP and contractors tackle the complex block-by-block weaving of light rail through the middle of Austin’s urban fabric.

PERMITTING: The city's new General Permit policy has generated excitement at ATP. There is a strong interest in the City of Austin in improving the process for all public capital projects. The policy will allow the implementing agency, including ATP, to essentially self-certify that they do not need any further permits to repair, maintain, or install of a utility, drainage, or street system in areas where they’re not adding impervious cover and staying within the public right-of-way or easements.

WORKFORCE: The Austin Infrastructure Academy’s work is getting underway, and Austin Community College will soon open a training facility for the academy. The academy was created to help fill the demand for infrastructure-related jobs, with an analysis showing that the region needs to train an additional 4,000 people per year to meet the need. The Austin Infrastructure Academy launched in March 2025 with a career fair that drew more than 300 job seekers, as well as 28 employers and 11 training providers. 

What’s Next

Project Connect is one of the most exciting transportation projects in the country right now, and Accelerator for America Action is glad to chronicle its progress. Austin is leading with  best practices, including many recommended by the ENO Transportation Center’s Blueprint for Building Better Transit. Accelerator for America Action will continue to monitor the implementation of Project Connect and the development of Austin Light Rail — with a focus on coordination with the Federal Transit Administration, management of the progressive design‑build contracts, small and local business participation, and utility relocation.