The year 2024 was a breakthrough year for the Red Line Parkway, thanks to the completion of multi-year projects. Our work is described in four program areas: Plan, Fund, Build, and Activate. Our 2024 programming expenses for each area was 28%, 13%, 28%, and 31%, respectively.
Plan
CapMetro completed the Red Line Trail Study, creating a path and commitment to providing space for the Red Line Parkway within the CapMetro railroad right-of-way. This was a culmination of seven years of Red Line Parkway Initiative working with CapMetro to make this essential space available to the Parkway. As part of the study's outreach, we hosted events (shown below under Activate) plus connected with community members at over a dozen additional events. We recognized CapMetro for the completion of the Red Line Trail Study with an award at our 2024 State of the Parkway.
We ensured inclusion and coordination with transportation and parks plans in Downtown Austin, Cherrywood & Hancock, Cedar Park, Leander, and regionally with the CAMPO 2050 Plan (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization).
Fund
We pursued federal funding for the next step of planning, including determining end-to-end trail alignments, stakeholder coordination to create an implementation plan, and engaging the broader community for a more holistic vision plan.
We co-organized an ad hoc community coalition in support of providing initial funding for the I-35 caps & stitches, which will help mitigate the expansion of the 20+ lane highway into surrounding neighborhoods plus create regional destinations & open space, a new urban trail (East Avenue Trail), and economic development. We recognized the Our Future 35 team for the development of the East Avenue Trail concept with an award at our 2024 State of the Parkway.
With allies at Austin Outside and other organizations, we established construction funding for shared-use paths in the CTRMA (Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority) budget plan. This funding could help build the Red Line Parkway and connecting trails.
Build
We installed temporary wayfinding signage along an existing 16-mile trail and on-street route of the Red Line Parkway from Downtown Austin to the Northern Walnut Creek Trail. The approximately 200 signs help guide people to a walk/bike/run route that they may not have known about before, and the signs help create awareness and momentum toward completing an end-to-end trail away from motor vehicle traffic.
We continued to secure space for the Parkway as part of private redevelopments and public projects, including in East Cesar Chavez, Holly, Cherrywood, Hancock, North Loop, Skyview, Highland, Crestview, and North Burnet.
Activate
We hosted over 15 events along the Red Line Parkway, targeting a broad range of communities. Events included bike rides, walking taco tour, transit adventure, mural tour, bike-to-work day fueling station, tai chi, yoga, creek & trail clean-up, and tree-base mulching.
