This Wednesday, the folks behind Austin’s light-rail are getting together to chat about what’s next for the project. They’re talking schedules, planning, and construction details.

Last week, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) gave a sneak peek to the media about what’s coming up. They’ve been doing some recalibrating after realizing the costs were going way up. Now, they’ve got some possible dates for when they’ll start building and when they hope to be done.

The ATP is on the hunt for some serious cash from the Federal Transit Administration. They’re hoping to cover at least half the construction costs with federal grant money.

ATP came to life after Austin voters said “yes” to Project Connect, a big bucks public transportation plan, back in 2020. Since then, ATP has been the driving force behind making the light-rail dream a reality. Their current plan? A 9.8-mile track with around 13 to 16 stops, stretching out from downtown Austin.

To fund this massive project, Austin raised property taxes. And for the light-rail part of the project, they’re banking on this tax hike plus a hopeful 50% match in federal grant money. ATP is aiming to start construction in 2027, wrapping up by 2033. They’re hoping to get the federal funds locked down by 2026.

Costs on the Rise:

Initially, ATP estimated the light-rail would cost between $4.5 billion and $4.8 billion. But now, they’re saying it could hit $7.1 billion, factoring in future construction costs and inflation. ATP insists this doesn’t mean they’re over budget—it’s just how they calculate long-term projects. The Federal Transit Administration gave ATP a nudge by moving them to the final steps of the funding eligibility process. This led ATP to finally share their updated cost estimate, which had been adjusted for future inflation and market changes.

There’s a lawsuit in the mix about whether the tax increase can be used for the project. Plus, there’s a bit of a legal tangle with a burger joint called Dirty Martin’s that doesn’t want to be bought out for the project. Despite changing plans to not require Dirty Martin’s property, the lawsuit is still on. There’s a trial set for late May about the bond validation, which is a big deal for the project’s funding. And for those wondering, the light-rail won’t initially run to Austin’s airport or connect to the Red Line commuter rail, but those are on the wishlist for later.