USD/BTC = $105,573
Block 901,390
TL:DRPlanning organization Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) on Friday announced that it has issued its
formal solicitation – a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) – for the design and construction of a $7.1 billion light rail system in Austin, Texas.The design-build contract for the new all-electric, nearly 10-mile rail system, for which the ATP expects to begin construction in 2027, is slated to be awarded next year, the ATP said.The project will include:
- 15 stations;
- New pedestrian and cycling paths;
- A new bridge across Lady Bird Lake;
- A design that allows for future expansion;
- A street-level system with dedicated lanes that do not interfere with other modes of transportation; and
- Vehicle and track crossings that will be synchronized with the train control signaling system to eliminate red light stops between stations.
Responses to the RFQ, which can be viewed here upon vendor registration, are due July 3, 2025. After review, officials
The winning team, the planning organization said, will be responsible for or impact the project's transitway, tracks, systems, stations, bridges, traffic signals, utilities, drainage structures and streetscape.
The ATP said it is looking for a team with which it will be able to collaborate on:
Innovative design solutions;
- A design that promotes efficient construction while not hindering mobility as the light rail system is being built; and
- Developing a design that ensures project costs will stay within the budget.
The ATP said it expects the system to begin service in 2033."Austin Light Rail is a mega infrastructure project that will offer qualified businesses across Texas and beyond a competitive opportunity to provide the materials and services needed to deliver the project," said ATP CEO Greg Canally.
"This final design and construction contract adheres to ATP's model to partner with the private sector to attract top talent to deliver a world-class light rail system for Austin," Canally said.
As far as funding is concerned, the project should receive approximately $2 billion in proceeds from Proposition A, a voter-approved measure that will see a portion of local property taxes help pay for design and construction costs, the ATP said.Other sources of project revenue include Federal Transit Administration grants,
bond proceeds and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan draws.My Thoughts 💭
Get ready Austin Bitcoiners The forever light rail project is coming to you. The 6k BTC per mile project is ready to raise hell in your city. I am all for public transportation but 67k BTC to move many people at once within a ten mile span is mindless. Is this the best we can do when it comes to mass transportation projects? Don’t get me wrong I like light rails. The one in Seattle makes it very easy to get around without a car but the cost and time for these project to complete is a complete drag.
Plus they should be using a bitcoin to save or use a bitbond so buyers of the debt issuance don’t lose purchasing power.
Oh and property owners footing the bill could be maddening if you never plan to use it.