CARTS moves forward with new East Austin hub

The rural and small urban transit district serving the non-urbanized areas of Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Williamson and Travis counties, and the city of San Marcos urbanized area, has found a location for a regional hub for its East Austin routes. Ever since the Capital Area Rural Transportation System sold its East Sixth Street headquarters, Plaza Saltillo has been serving as the district’s interim East Austin hub. However, a recent press release from the district announces that “planning has identified a location west of (U.S. Highway) 183 at the convergence of East Cesar Chavez Street and East Fifth Street, adjacent to Shady Lane. TxDOT owns this parcel which was donated by Travis County to the State in 1937 for use as a highway rest stop and has agreed to its development as a transit hub. CARTS has retained the Austin-based firm of McCann Adams Studio to assist CARTS in the … governmental coordination, community outreach and conceptual design” of the new Eastside Bus Plaza, and the new hub is expected to be functional in 2020. CARTS is hosting an open house to share information about its plans for the plaza on Aug. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Capital Metro Headquarters, 2910 E. Fifth St., in Board Room A. At 6 p.m. there will be a short presentation, and light refreshments will be available. The No. 300 stops at Pleasant Valley Road near the headquarters.