San Antonio became the third city to set aside funding for the Lone Star Rail District line when it voted Thursday to include $500,000 for the project in its annual budget.
The money will go toward planning a proposed passenger train, known as LSTAR, which would run between San Antonio and Georgetown. Austin and San Marcos agreed to help fund the project in 2013.
The city is considering a 36-year funding agreement with the rail district, which is run by a board of representatives from cities and counties in the Austin-San Antonio corridor. The agreement, which could be finalized within a month, would increase the city’s annual commitment to the project to $2 million over the next five years and allow it to end its involvement if the district doesn’t meet certain goals, such as securing money to build the line.
LSTAR plans to use existing tracks near Interstate 35 owned by Union Pacific if the railroad can acquire land east of I-35 for an alternate set of tracks to carry freight.
District 9 Councilman Joe Krier, long a proponent of LSTAR, reiterated his support for the train, which would provide those traveling between San Antonio and Austin an alternative to driving on I-35. He emphasized that other cities in the region will be expected to contribute to the operations and maintenance costs.
“San Antonio has now raised its hand and said ‘Count us in,’” he said.
District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg also voiced his support for the allocation, as well as money for other infrastructure improvements.
The budget includes $79 million for street and sidewalk maintenance, $33 million more than the amount included in last year’s budget.
kblunt@express-news.net
Twitter: @katherineblunt
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