AUSTIN, Texas — Officials in Travis County have approved a contract for a feasibility study of a commuter rail operation between Austin and San Antonio, Texas.
At a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a $124,953.50 contract with consultant HNTB Corp. for a “high-level engineering feasibility study” for a route following State Highway 130 and Interstate Highway 10. [Documents related to the contract begin on page 496 of this meeting agenda packet.] The contract calls for HNTB to identify the route, potential station locations, and estimates of costs for construction, operation, and maintenance, and is to be completed with 175 days of the company’s receipt of a “notice to proceed” from the county.
The county’s department of Transportation and Natural Resources recommended HNTB as the most qualified entity to conduct the study because it is already working with the state on a study of the I-10 corridor.
KXAN-TV reports that Judge Andy Brown, who heads the Commissioners Court, said he was “excited” about the study. “If we can squeeze a passenger rail route in the right of way that does not involve taking a lot of private land, I think that makes the possibility of getting rail between Austin … down to Bexar County much more realistic and potentially much quicker.”
Taking a quick look at this route on Google, building along I-10 could be tricky. Construction makes it hard to tell, but there doesn’t seem to be space between the main lanes, or between the frontage roads and lanes, for a new track. On the other hand, the median between the lanes of SR 130 is about 120-130′ wide based on some random spot checks. That’s enough space for two tracks and clear zone on either side. Getting into Austin could be a challenge since SR 130 cuts around the east side, but it does get within 3 miles of the airport.
Help me out, people, as I have never been to Texas. Is this proposal for a new r/w, as opposed to an existing track?
Yes. This route would run seven to ten miles Southeast of the current Union Pacific routes. It would miss current growing population centers like New braunfels, San Marcos, Kyle & Buda but probably generate growth along a new area thru Seguin & Lockwood. UP serves numerous cement and rock mines Northeast of San Antonio and has stated it has no interest in additional passenger movements.