Lone Star Rail Moving Toward Regional Commuter Service

Sid Covington, chairman, Lone Star Rail District

The Lone Star Rail District announced Monday that they will begin engineering and environmental studies before the end of the year for regional passenger rail. The proposed LSTAR commuter rail line will provide service from Georgetown to San Antonio with 16 rail stations in between.

State Senator Kirk Watson said Monday at a news conference in Austin, “We need an alternative to driving cars on congested highways. We need to focus on a multi-modal [transportation] system.” Patty Eason, Georgetown city council member District 1 and Lone Star Rail District Board member, also attended the Monday event.

The Lone Star Rail District, formerly called the Austin–San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District, met a number of milestones this year.

The Texas legislature allocated $8.7 million for regional rail between Georgetown and San Antonio and also appropriated $182 million to the Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund in order to move freight rail traffic out of urban areas.

The Rail District also reached an agreement with Union Pacific this year to study the feasibility of moving through-freight traffic to new lines out of urban areas in the corridor.

In addition, the Rail District has submitted an application to receive a portion of the $8 billion in federal stimulus funding for rail. The Obama administration identified the Interstate 35 corridor in Texas as a priority area for passenger rail.

Georgetown is the northern terminus for the proposed rail line. A transit station with nearby residential and commercial development is planned for the intersection of Maple Street and SE Inner Loop Road in Georgetown.

In the coming weeks, the Lone Star Rail District plans get public input regarding the proposed line with a public outreach effort in the region.

To find out more about the LSTAR rail line, go to the Lone Star Rail District’s website at www.LoneStarRail.com.

Pictured below are elected officials, community leaders, and Lone Star Rail District Board members, from left to right: Patrick Rose, Texas State representative, District 45; John Cowman, mayor of Leander; Dr. Denise Trauth, Texas State University president, Lee Leffingwell, mayor of Austin; Kirk Watson, state senator, District 14;  Patty Eason, Georgetown City Council, District 1 and Lone Star Rail Board member; Sid Covington, chairman, Lone Star Rail District.