Another small step toward MetroRapid infill stations

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s slow-motion initiative to add new stops along its existing MetroRapid routes took a small shuffle forward on Wednesday. The board of directors’ Operations, Planning and Safety Committee unanimously approved a request from staff to negotiate an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to install four new pairs of stops along the state agency’s right of way. Three of the pairs would augment the No. 801 route. Two of those will sit on North Lamar Boulevard, one pair at Parmer Lane and the other at Fairfield Drive. The third pair of stops is targeted for South Congress Avenue at Slaughter Lane. Meanwhile, the deal would also add a new set of No. 803 stops at Burnet Road and Rutland Drive. Capital Metro is planning to add another four pairs of new MetroRapid stations to sections of the two routes along city of Austin-owned roadways. The plan was first revealed in July 2016. Since then, the agency acquired new buses to accommodate the new stops, the federal government gave its approval and the board of directors signed off on the construction budget. Work is not scheduled to begin until next fall. The full board of directors is set to validate the committee’s vote at its next meeting on Dec. 18.