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Capital Metro Announces MetroRail Milestone

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Adam ShaivitzMisty WhitedErica McKewen
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Capital Metro Announces MetroRail Milestone


Downtown Station to be Completed this Week

November 25, 2008

NEWS FACTS

  • Capital Metro marks a major milestone in the Capital MetroRail project this week as the Downtown Station is expected to be completed Wednesday, Nov. 26.
  • The Downtown Station is conveniently located outside the Austin Convention Center at 4th Street between Neches and Trinity.
  • The Downtown Station is among nine stations that will serve Capital Metro¿s Red Line between downtown Austin and Leander. MetroRail will begin service March 30, 2009.
  • Construction began in August and in addition to the station, Capital Metro improved railroad tracks in the area, made considerable improvements to the sidewalk next to the Austin Convention Center and the Brush Square streetscape and built a portion of the new Lance Armstrong Bikeway.
  • The station features steel canopies, lighting, and accessible ramps. Information display units, digital signs with real-time train arrival information and ticket vending machines will be installed closer to the start of revenue service.
  • Dedicated rail connector buses will greet passengers at this station and offer quick transfers to their final destinations. Many other local bus routes are within walking distance of the station.
  • During the construction of the station, Capital Metro worked to avoid as much as possible the inconveniences of noise, dust and traffic and included time-of-day restrictions to minimize any of those issues. Capital Metro and its contractors worked closely with the Austin Convention Center and the Hilton to keep them informed of construction progress.

MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS
downtown station
downtown station
The Downtown Station is one of nine stations on the Red Line between Austin and Leander.

QUOTES

  • "The completion of the Downtown Station brings Capital Metro one step closer to the launch of Capital MetroRail. We are very excited to begin service next spring. Capital Metro looks forward to providing a safe, reliable and high-quality system in which all of central Texas can be proud. "

    -- Fred Gilliam, Capital Metro President/CEO

ABOUT CAPITAL METRO
Capital Metro's mission is to provide quality public transportation choices for our community that meet the needs of our growing region. Capital Metro provides bus service on flexible, convenient schedules at more than 3,000 bus stops throughout Central Texas, providing an average of up to 140,000 one way trips per day. The fixed route bus system includes metro, flyer and express routes, downtown `Dillo circulator routes, and UT Shuttle service. Capital Metro also provides MetroAccess service for passengers with disabilities, van and carpool coordination, and freight rail service.

Capital MetroRail is a new passenger rail system expected to open March 2009, which will extend 32 miles between the City of Leander and the Convention Center in Downtown Austin. Capital MetroRail will serve nine stations providing convenient service every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. MetroRail is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan that includes expanded local and express bus service, MetroRapid bus service, and new and improved park and ride lots. For more information, including an online trip planner and a commute cost calculator, visit www.capmetro.org or call (512) 474- 1200.


line seperatorCapital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200