From Impact News, April 29, 2009...
Six weeks after safety violations forced Capital Metro to reschedule the launch of its new commuter rail line, the line’s private operator has hired a new safety director.
Randall "Randy" Jamieson is the new director of safety, training and regulatory compliance in Austin for Veolia Transportation, the company announced in a press release Tuesday.
On March 20, Capital Metro cancelled the March 28 MetroRail grand opening celebrations for the commuter rail service from Leander to downtown Austin because of alleged safety violations by Veolia workers.
Train services have been delayed indefinitely. Capital Metro promised to present the status of the MetroRail and an action plan by May 15.
Read more...
Showing posts with label Leander. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leander. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Capital Metro takes media for a rail ride
From KVUE, March 2, 2009...
During Capital Metro's five recent open houses, the public has gotten a look inside rail cars, but the train never moved. Monday, members of the media got to take a real ride.
Reporters, photographers and Capital Metro staffers boarded the red line shortly after noon in North Austin. The abbreviated trip would take riders to Leander and back.
Read more...
During Capital Metro's five recent open houses, the public has gotten a look inside rail cars, but the train never moved. Monday, members of the media got to take a real ride.
Reporters, photographers and Capital Metro staffers boarded the red line shortly after noon in North Austin. The abbreviated trip would take riders to Leander and back.
Read more...
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Capital Metro rail to start on time -- but trains could be limited
From KVUE, February 27, 2009...
The Capital Metro rail line from Leander to downtown Austin remains scheduled to begin March 30, but there is a possibility that technical difficulties could limit the number of trains put into service that day.
Friday night marks the last chance to attend an open house for Capital Metro rail, but it's the first time some commuters learned of possible safety issues at certain intersections.
Read more...
The Capital Metro rail line from Leander to downtown Austin remains scheduled to begin March 30, but there is a possibility that technical difficulties could limit the number of trains put into service that day.
Friday night marks the last chance to attend an open house for Capital Metro rail, but it's the first time some commuters learned of possible safety issues at certain intersections.
Read more...
Rail opening could be delayed
From statesman, February 27, 2009...
With testing and training behind schedule and troubles with signals, Capital Metro's passenger rail line might miss its March 30 opening date, agency officials say. Or the agency might initially run trains only southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening.
That would be a change from the intended operating plan for the 32-mile, Leander-to-downtown-Austin line, which is to have seven trains running south from Leander in the morning and three going the opposite way and then seven trains outbound from downtown in the evening rush hour and three coming south from Leander.
Read more...
With testing and training behind schedule and troubles with signals, Capital Metro's passenger rail line might miss its March 30 opening date, agency officials say. Or the agency might initially run trains only southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening.
That would be a change from the intended operating plan for the 32-mile, Leander-to-downtown-Austin line, which is to have seven trains running south from Leander in the morning and three going the opposite way and then seven trains outbound from downtown in the evening rush hour and three coming south from Leander.
Read more...
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Cedar Park, Leander continue makeover plans for US 183
From Impact News, December 19, 2008...
For many years, US 183 was the primary passageway through Cedar Park and Leander.
Businesses sprouted up along the highway to serve the growing communities and gave many visitors their first impressions of the cities. Now, a good deal of the region’s through traffic bypasses US 183 in favor of its younger, faster cousin, Toll 183A, which opened in March 2007.
Although the older highway has problems, both aesthetic and logistical, it nonetheless remains a vital artery for the two cities, which have plans in place to remake it into an accessible, functional thoroughfare for both vehicles and pedestrians.
Read more...
For many years, US 183 was the primary passageway through Cedar Park and Leander.
Businesses sprouted up along the highway to serve the growing communities and gave many visitors their first impressions of the cities. Now, a good deal of the region’s through traffic bypasses US 183 in favor of its younger, faster cousin, Toll 183A, which opened in March 2007.
Although the older highway has problems, both aesthetic and logistical, it nonetheless remains a vital artery for the two cities, which have plans in place to remake it into an accessible, functional thoroughfare for both vehicles and pedestrians.
Read more...
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Capital Metro finishes Downtown MetroRail station
From Impact News, November 26, 2008...
Capital Metro expects to complete the Downtown Station of the commuter rail line Nov. 26. The station is near the Austin Convention Center on Fourth Street between Neches and Trinity streets and is one of nine stations that will serve Capital Metro’s Red Line between downtown Austin and Leander. Rail service will begin March 30.
The MetroRail extends 32 miles between Leander and the convention center. Trains will run every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. Connector buses will be available to take train passengers from the Downtown Station to their final destinations, and several local bus routes are within walking distance.
Read more...
Capital Metro expects to complete the Downtown Station of the commuter rail line Nov. 26. The station is near the Austin Convention Center on Fourth Street between Neches and Trinity streets and is one of nine stations that will serve Capital Metro’s Red Line between downtown Austin and Leander. Rail service will begin March 30.
The MetroRail extends 32 miles between Leander and the convention center. Trains will run every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. Connector buses will be available to take train passengers from the Downtown Station to their final destinations, and several local bus routes are within walking distance.
Read more...
Friday, October 24, 2008
Leander mayor calls for regional transportation plan, bond
From Impact News, October 20, 2008...
Everyone seems to talk about Central Texas’ transportation issues. In downtown Austin many solutions have been offered: trolley cars, parking garages, rubber tires and/or steel wheels and the like. We treat traffic congestion like the weather; we act as if we have no control over it. I offer the following approach to solve our regional transportation issues.
I do not know if it’s best to dedicate lanes, synchronize traffic lights, go with steel wheels or rubber-tires, or implement some combination of the aforementioned. I do know for sure the traffic problem in downtown Austin is not solely Austin’s problem. Downtown Austin’s traffic problem is the region’s traffic problem.
Read more...
Everyone seems to talk about Central Texas’ transportation issues. In downtown Austin many solutions have been offered: trolley cars, parking garages, rubber tires and/or steel wheels and the like. We treat traffic congestion like the weather; we act as if we have no control over it. I offer the following approach to solve our regional transportation issues.
I do not know if it’s best to dedicate lanes, synchronize traffic lights, go with steel wheels or rubber-tires, or implement some combination of the aforementioned. I do know for sure the traffic problem in downtown Austin is not solely Austin’s problem. Downtown Austin’s traffic problem is the region’s traffic problem.
Read more...
Friday, October 3, 2008
Capital Metro Rail faces more delays
From KXAN, October 1, 2008...
Capital Metro's commuter rail line, approved by local voters four years ago, will not start operation until next spring due to construction snags and the approval of federal waivers.
When voters approved the project in 2004, the anticipated start date was Spring 2008, according to Capital Metro spokeswoman Misty Whited. More recently, the start date for the 32-mile Red Line from Leander to downtown Austin was pushed back to this fall.
However, Capital Metro's Board of Directors heard on Wednesday about more delays and setbacks at its retreat. Based on the delays, the board set a March 30, 2009 date for the beginning of rail service.
Of the nine stations, seven will be ready to go in December. However, the Federal Railroad Administration has yet to approve Capital Metro's plan for running the rail service.
Read more...
Capital Metro's commuter rail line, approved by local voters four years ago, will not start operation until next spring due to construction snags and the approval of federal waivers.
When voters approved the project in 2004, the anticipated start date was Spring 2008, according to Capital Metro spokeswoman Misty Whited. More recently, the start date for the 32-mile Red Line from Leander to downtown Austin was pushed back to this fall.
However, Capital Metro's Board of Directors heard on Wednesday about more delays and setbacks at its retreat. Based on the delays, the board set a March 30, 2009 date for the beginning of rail service.
Of the nine stations, seven will be ready to go in December. However, the Federal Railroad Administration has yet to approve Capital Metro's plan for running the rail service.
Read more...
Mayor Reads About Own Death In Newspaper
From KEYE, October 1, 2008...
Imagine waking up to your morning coffee and paper and reading you had died. That happened to the mayor of Leander, after the Leander Ledger mistakenly reported the mayor was dead.
That newspaper mistake had folks at the Leander City Hall talking and the phones ringing.
Everyone wants to know if it’s true?
Read more...
Imagine waking up to your morning coffee and paper and reading you had died. That happened to the mayor of Leander, after the Leander Ledger mistakenly reported the mayor was dead.
That newspaper mistake had folks at the Leander City Hall talking and the phones ringing.
Everyone wants to know if it’s true?
Read more...
Cap Metro Trying to Get Back on Track
From KEYE, October 1, 2008...
Capital Metro will announce Wednesday afternoon if it will again push back the debut of its commuter rail service. The line will run 32 miles from Leander to downtown Austin.
KEYE 42 found out March is likely the new opening date for the rail project. Cap Metro board members will meet Wednesday and make the official announcement. It was supposed to open this December.
Read more...
Capital Metro will announce Wednesday afternoon if it will again push back the debut of its commuter rail service. The line will run 32 miles from Leander to downtown Austin.
KEYE 42 found out March is likely the new opening date for the rail project. Cap Metro board members will meet Wednesday and make the official announcement. It was supposed to open this December.
Read more...
Austin area rail line to begin in March
From KEYE, October 1, 2008...
Central Texans can start riding the passenger rail line on March 30, 2009.
Wednesday the Capital Metro board set that date to start running the 32 mile line from Leander to Austin.
Read more...
Central Texans can start riding the passenger rail line on March 30, 2009.
Wednesday the Capital Metro board set that date to start running the 32 mile line from Leander to Austin.
Read more...
Commuter rail line opening put off to March
From statesman, October 2, 2008...
Capital Metro trains will pull out of the station beginning March 30, the transit agency decided Wednesday.
But even before the trains run, Capital Metro officials, on the presumption that the Leander-to-downtown-Austin line's initial capacity with just six rail cars will be insufficient, probably will put in an order for another dozen cars.
Read more...
Capital Metro trains will pull out of the station beginning March 30, the transit agency decided Wednesday.
But even before the trains run, Capital Metro officials, on the presumption that the Leander-to-downtown-Austin line's initial capacity with just six rail cars will be insufficient, probably will put in an order for another dozen cars.
Read more...
Monday, September 22, 2008
'Rich' label worries districts
From statesman, September 21, 2008...
The Leander and San Marcos school districts have entered the ranks of those considered to be property rich under the state's school finance system.
In the short term, those districts will see the amount of money they get from the state decline even as school finance law caps tax rates and restricts property tax revenue they can raise and spend locally. In the long term, as education costs increase, those districts face tough budget decisions — possibly having to cut programs, increase class sizes or hold tax referendums to raise more money.
Read more...
The Leander and San Marcos school districts have entered the ranks of those considered to be property rich under the state's school finance system.
In the short term, those districts will see the amount of money they get from the state decline even as school finance law caps tax rates and restricts property tax revenue they can raise and spend locally. In the long term, as education costs increase, those districts face tough budget decisions — possibly having to cut programs, increase class sizes or hold tax referendums to raise more money.
Read more...
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Williamson County Among Best Places for a Long Life
From CNN Money, September 09, 2008...
Residents of these 25 counties enjoy some of the highest life expectancies in the U.S. Williamson County is ranked 25th nationwide.
This fast-growing Austin metro area county ("Wilco" to the locals) is home to the city of Round Rock, which calls itself "The Sports Capital of Texas." And in Texas, that's really saying something. They're not talking about the major leagues, though: The boast refers to amateur and recreational sports for all ages.
Read more...
Here is the complete list...
Towns mentioned include: Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, & Round Rock. Click on one to see how it stacks up in Money's list of Best Places to Live - The Best Small Cities.
Residents of these 25 counties enjoy some of the highest life expectancies in the U.S. Williamson County is ranked 25th nationwide.
This fast-growing Austin metro area county ("Wilco" to the locals) is home to the city of Round Rock, which calls itself "The Sports Capital of Texas." And in Texas, that's really saying something. They're not talking about the major leagues, though: The boast refers to amateur and recreational sports for all ages.
Read more...
Here is the complete list...
Towns mentioned include: Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, & Round Rock. Click on one to see how it stacks up in Money's list of Best Places to Live - The Best Small Cities.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Texas 29 expansion to pass south of Liberty Hill
From statesman, September 4, 2008...
The route for a planned expansion of Texas 29 in the northwestern part of Williamson County will pass south of Liberty Hill, several commissioners announced Wednesday.
Expansion of the five-lane highway is part of a long-range countywide transportation plan designed to meet the needs of the rapidly growing county. The county plans to make Texas 29, which now goes through Liberty Hill, the main east-west corridor for an area where county leaders say the next wave of growth will happen. The county estimates that in the next 25 years, 60 to 65 percent of its growth will be west of Interstate 35.
The route follows the existing Texas 29 route except for the bypass around Liberty Hill and the 3,900 residents in and around the city.
Dozens of possible routes north and south of the city were considered, but Long and Commissioner Valerie Covey on Wednesday said the southern route was chosen because there are fewer residents and businesses in the area.
"With Cedar Park and Round Rock almost built out, that will push that growth north into places like Leander and Liberty Hill," said Michael Weaver of Prime Strategies Inc., which manages the county's road bond program.
Read more...
The route for a planned expansion of Texas 29 in the northwestern part of Williamson County will pass south of Liberty Hill, several commissioners announced Wednesday.
Expansion of the five-lane highway is part of a long-range countywide transportation plan designed to meet the needs of the rapidly growing county. The county plans to make Texas 29, which now goes through Liberty Hill, the main east-west corridor for an area where county leaders say the next wave of growth will happen. The county estimates that in the next 25 years, 60 to 65 percent of its growth will be west of Interstate 35.
The route follows the existing Texas 29 route except for the bypass around Liberty Hill and the 3,900 residents in and around the city.
Dozens of possible routes north and south of the city were considered, but Long and Commissioner Valerie Covey on Wednesday said the southern route was chosen because there are fewer residents and businesses in the area.
"With Cedar Park and Round Rock almost built out, that will push that growth north into places like Leander and Liberty Hill," said Michael Weaver of Prime Strategies Inc., which manages the county's road bond program.
Read more...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Preserving Texas wildlife
from Community Impact Newspaper
Williamson County officials are trying to balance the county's inevitable growth and protect several endangered species found west of IH 35.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Statesman creating community newspapers in Cedar Park, Leander
From statesman, (via Cedar Park Life) August 27, 2008...
The Austin Community Newspaper group, which is owned by the Austin American-Statesman, announced Tuesday that it will launch two new weekly publications to serve readers in Cedar Park and Leander beginning
Sept. 4.
The Cedar Park Citizen and the Leander Ledger will provide residents with community-specific information involving sports, schools and local government, Statesman Associate Publisher Michael Vivio said.
"Cedar Park and Leander are two fast-growing suburbs that deserve to be served by their own community newspaper," he said.
Cedar Park is the 11th fastest growing suburb in the United States, according to Forbes magazine. Leander is the fourth fastest growing city in the state.
Read more...
The Austin Community Newspaper group, which is owned by the Austin American-Statesman, announced Tuesday that it will launch two new weekly publications to serve readers in Cedar Park and Leander beginning
Sept. 4.
The Cedar Park Citizen and the Leander Ledger will provide residents with community-specific information involving sports, schools and local government, Statesman Associate Publisher Michael Vivio said.
"Cedar Park and Leander are two fast-growing suburbs that deserve to be served by their own community newspaper," he said.
Cedar Park is the 11th fastest growing suburb in the United States, according to Forbes magazine. Leander is the fourth fastest growing city in the state.
Read more...
Friday, August 29, 2008
Rail line launch could be delayed into 2009
From Austin Business Journal, August 28, 2008...
The Austin area’s new commuter rail line may not launch this fall as planned.
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority says construction delays with two of the nine rail stops on the MetroRail line could push back the system’s launch several months into next spring.
The Kramer and Howard stations are delayed because both had to switch locations, says Cap Metro spokeswoman Misty Whited.
The Leander-to-Austin line could begin service without those two stations operational, but Whited says some Cap Metro board members have expressed concern over launching without all of the stations up and running.
Read more...
The Austin area’s new commuter rail line may not launch this fall as planned.
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority says construction delays with two of the nine rail stops on the MetroRail line could push back the system’s launch several months into next spring.
The Kramer and Howard stations are delayed because both had to switch locations, says Cap Metro spokeswoman Misty Whited.
The Leander-to-Austin line could begin service without those two stations operational, but Whited says some Cap Metro board members have expressed concern over launching without all of the stations up and running.
Read more...
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Texas' Capital Metro notes progress on new passenger-rail line
From Progressive Railroading, August 26, 2008...
Construction is progressing on Capital Metro's 32-mile Leander-to-Austin, Texas, passenger-rail line, which is set to open later this year.
The agency has nearly completed the Leander, Lakeline and Plaza Saltillo stations, while work on the Crestview and Highland stations is expected to conclude by October. Capital Metro recently launched construction on Downtown Station, which is projected to open in November, and accelerated construction on the MLK Station so it's open by the time service begins. Next month, the agency will begin building the Howard Station.
Transit-oriented development plans are under way at most stations, as well, including an office, retail and residential project at Crestview Station, and a mixed-use project adjacent to Crestview Station.
Read more...
Construction is progressing on Capital Metro's 32-mile Leander-to-Austin, Texas, passenger-rail line, which is set to open later this year.
The agency has nearly completed the Leander, Lakeline and Plaza Saltillo stations, while work on the Crestview and Highland stations is expected to conclude by October. Capital Metro recently launched construction on Downtown Station, which is projected to open in November, and accelerated construction on the MLK Station so it's open by the time service begins. Next month, the agency will begin building the Howard Station.
Transit-oriented development plans are under way at most stations, as well, including an office, retail and residential project at Crestview Station, and a mixed-use project adjacent to Crestview Station.
Read more...
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Williamson County starts school with 12 new campuses
From statesman, August 21, 2008...
Need evidence that Williamson County is one of the fastest growing areas in the state? Take a look at the number of new schools opening next week in the Leander and Round Rock school districts.
Leander starts classes Monday with the opening of Westside, Parkside and Grandview Hills elementary schools and the new Rouse (rhymes with "house") High School.
Rouse High School is one of those rare schools in the area that is named after someone still living.
Read more...
Need evidence that Williamson County is one of the fastest growing areas in the state? Take a look at the number of new schools opening next week in the Leander and Round Rock school districts.
Leander starts classes Monday with the opening of Westside, Parkside and Grandview Hills elementary schools and the new Rouse (rhymes with "house") High School.
Rouse High School is one of those rare schools in the area that is named after someone still living.
Read more...
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