Lone Star Regional Rail Project - UpdateJoseph Black – Rail Director, Lone Star Rail District

June 3, 2015

Lone Star Rail District & the Project

Connectivity/Mobility

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Process

Lone Star Regional Rail Project - Update

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• Cities:Georgetown, Austin, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, San Antonio

• Counties:Williamson, Travis, Hays, Bexar

• Transit Agencies:Capital Metro, CARTS, VIA, ART

• MPOs:CAMPO, AAMPO

• Other Entities:Austin Community College District

• Region’s Board Representation:21 members representing the political leadership and business community of Central/South Texas, plus “at large” members appointed by the TxTC.

Jurisdictions and Service Area

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• 30+ through freight trains per day rerouted to Urban Freight Rail Bypass

• 80+ miles of new freight rail line from Seguin to Taylor

• 40+ miles of improved freight rail line from San Antonio to Seguin

• Economic development oppotunities

New Freight Rail Line

• LSTAR is Regional Rail -hybrid of commuter & intercity rail

• Originally 16 stations at full service (up to 24 with split stations service)

• 32 round trips a day at full service

• 118 miles of passenger rail; San Antonio north to Georgetown

How Does the LSRRP Effort Filla Central Texas Need?

Passenger Rail

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Rider Experience• Considered a higher level of transit

o Dependable/predictable service

o Avoids destination parking & costs

o Bring your bike along

o Wi-fi enabled

• Congestion proof option – bypasses traffic bottlenecks

• Makes drive time available for other activities

Links nearly 300,000 students, faculty and staff at 17 campuses:

• Texas A&M University San Antonio

• UTSA Downtown Campus

• Alamo Community Colleges

• Texas State University

• The University of Texas at Austin

Lone Star Regional Rail – LSTAR Passenger Service

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Regional Mobility/Access• Relocation of UP reduces freight rail traffic in city centers

o “Through” freight trains are longer & slower(1-2 miles long; avg. 20 mph or less)

o Passenger trains are shorter & faster (max. 8 cars; avg. 60 mph)o Moves “through freight” trains to bypass (approx. 30-40 trains/day)o Remaining local freight stays in the corridor (no loss of service)o Amtrak service stays in the corridor (more reliable service)

Lone Star Regional Rail – New Freight Rail Line

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“Union Pacific Railroad has been working cooperatively with the District on its Austin-San Antonio Corridor project for several years…We believe that both Union Pacific and the District have made substantial progress…and anticipate that an eventual agreement will result in the ability of the District to provide passenger service and relocation of through freight in the Austin-San Antonio Corridor…”

Jerry Wilmoth, General Manager – Network Infrastructure, Union Pacific Railroad

• New Freight Rail Line – joint planning

• LSTAR Passenger and Local Freight Operations – joint planning

Union Pacific Railroad

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• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess project alternativeso LSTAR Service and Freight Bypass Line

• NEPA environmental impact categorieso Threatened or endangered species impactso Air & water quality impactso Historic & cultural sites impactso Social & economic community impactso Cost-benefit analysiso …

• Environmental Justice considerations of NEPA assess human health, economic, and social impacts on minority and low-income populations.

LSRD has initiated an EIS for the passenger line and freight bypass

Process will take approximately 3 years with results expected Summer 2017

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Process

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The purpose of the proposed Project is to facilitate the reliable transport of people and freight while improving

mode choice, mobility, and access to educational, employment, and commercial centers within the

communities that comprise the metropolitan areas of Austin and San Antonio. The proposed Project would expand transportation mode choice and provide a convenient alternative to the use of major regional

highways to move people and goods to support current and forecasted growth and economic development within

Central and South Texas.

Project PurposeProject Purpose

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The NEPA Process

ScopingFall 2014–Winter 2015

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The NEPA Process

ScopingFall 2014–Winter 2015AlternativesSpring–Summer 2015

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The NEPA Process

ScopingFall 2014–Winter 2015AlternativesSpring–Summer 2015Assess ImpactsFall 2015–Spring 2016

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The NEPA Process

ScopingFall 2014–Winter 2015AlternativesSpring–Summer 2015Assess ImpactsFall 2015–Spring 2016Draft EISSummer–Fall 2016

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The NEPA Process

ScopingFall 2014–Winter 2015AlternativesSpring–Summer 2015Assess ImpactsFall 2015–Spring 2016Draft EISSummer–Fall 2016Final EIS/ROD2017

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