San Antonio-Austin Regional Rail: A Staged Approach
by Dr. Jesse Harasta and Jack Lloyd Reilley
The Lone Star Rail – a proposed regional rail system connecting San Antonio and Austin – faces the same political, logistical and financial challenges that have stymied other rail projects in the region in the past. This proposal seeks to chart a path that is cost effective, politically sound, rapid to implement and gives a depth of service not previously seen in the region.
Contemporary Funding Framework Analysis for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
by Samuel Haas
The purpose of this study is to explore why Texas will not benefit from the passenger rail portions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), examine the regulations and funding mechanisms for TxDOT, and shed light on the constraints that are present for passenger rail. This study will also provide high-level research of other state DOTs and how they allocate their funding to rail, and whether that has correlated with IIJA funds. Finally, this study will conclude with proposals to increase funding for passenger rail.
San Antonio Inter-city Rail Station Upgrades and Expansion Options
By Jack Lloyd Reilley
The San Antonians for Rail Transit Research Committee has prepared this report outlining a range of improvements that could be made to San Antonio’s passenger rail station. San Antonio currently has only one functioning rail station, Sunset Station, located on the east side of downtown along the Union Pacific tracks leading to the East Side Railyard, in between Montana street and Commerce street. There is however also a former rail depot on the west side, the International and Great Northern rail depot, which is located adjacent to VIA metropolitan transit’s Centro Plaza bus terminal and currently is used as an office building.
The Missions Express: A New Vision for Connecting the San Antonio Missions and the River
By Dr. Jesse Harasta
Links between the San Antonio Missions National Park, Downtown San Antonio and the San Antonio River have been a long-term goal of the City of San Antonio, the National Park Service, UNESCO and the San Antonio River Authority. This proposal aims to build upon previous successes by creating a rail line connecting the missions in ways that make the entire network more accessible, sustainable and enjoyable.