The Austin Transit Partnership is starting to plan an extension of Austin Light Rail to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The details: The rail network is part of the Project Connect transit initiative approved in 2020. Although cost increases in 2023 led to scaled-down plans that removed the airport connection, officials announced on Nov. 10 that they are starting planning to bring a rail line to the airport with overall system construction set to begin in 2027.

Zooming in: The roughly 3-mile extension from Montopolis will be a mostly elevated structure. The new planning process will take up to a year and involve:

• Coordinating with the airport to integrate the proposed rail line and station with the Journey With AUS expansion program

• Starting a new federal environmental review for the extension project

• Assessing the extension's costs and timing, and investigating other funding options

Read about three updates to Southwest Austin, Dripping Springs and Driftwood transportation projects that may affect commutes.

Upcoming projects

Old Fitzhugh Road Improvements

Project: The city of Dripping Springs is aiming to beautify Old Fitzhugh Road while improving traffic flow, pedestrian access and connectivity.

Update: The project is slated to break ground Nov. 16.

RM 150 Improvement Project

Project: TxDOT is widening RM 150 from RM 1826 to Darden Hill Road. Improvements will temporarily disrupt driveway access.

Update: Construction is set to begin in November.

Ongoing projects

I-35 Capital Express South Project

Project: TxDOT will add two high-occupancy-vehicle lanes, a southbound bypass lane and pedestrian and bicycle paths.

Update: Intermittent nightly closures from eastbound and westbound Hwy. 71 to southbound I-35 flyovers will continue through the end of the year.

The Pease Park Conservancy is expanding its operations and maintenance responsibilities to cover the entire 84-acre Pease District Park, Austin's oldest public green space.

What happened: Following a unanimous recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Board, the Austin City Council approved the updated agreement Nov. 5.

Under the new phase plan, the conservancy takes over lead responsibilities from the city parks department, including:

• Facilities maintenance

• Programming, concessions and volunteering coordination

• Trash and other waste collection

• Graffiti abatement

• Expanded public engagement related to the park

The nonprofit will also lead proposed park improvements, starting with a comprehensive signage plan running into 2027.

The agreement is expected to save the city money and offset staff workload, and includes no city dollars for upcoming expenses that'll be covered through private funding.

A new worship building for a church in Round Rock, an addition to the public works facility in Buda and a Dave’s Hot Chicken in Kyle are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Bastrop Modular Vivarium ($19.6 million): This project involves the construction of a seven-module building complex with an added vestibule for the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

2. New Worship Building ($10.9 million): Cityview Bible Church will be constructing a new worship building featuring a 1,200-seat auditorium with a stage designed to accommodate worship services, presentations and community events.

3. City of Buda Public Works and Parks Expansion ($5.5 million): This project involves a 7,790 square-foot building addition and 2,071 square feet of renovations to the existing Public Works and Parks facilities in Buda.

4. Discount Tire ($950,000): A new Discount Tire location is coming to Hutto, with construction set to wrap up next August.

5. Dave’s Hot Chicken ($525,000): A new Dave’s Hot Chicken location is coming to Kyle.

Texas lawmakers and legislators-elect began filing new bills on Nov. 9, unofficially kicking off the 90th state legislative session. By noon, they had submitted more than 1,000 legislative proposals that they hoped would be considered at the state Capitol next year.

The overview: When the 90th legislative session begins Jan. 12, Texas will be led by all Democratic statewide officials. Democrats also won control of the Texas House during the Nov. 3 election, while Republicans retained Senate control.

Zooming in: Democratic lawmakers were the first to file bills in both legislative chambers, signaling some of the party's priorities as Texans prepare for the first Democratic-led state government and divided legislature in a generation.

State Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, filed bills to expand who is eligible for Medicaid in the state, while Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, proposed tightening regulations on the booming data center industry.

More details: Lawmakers had filed at least 57 constitutional amendments before press time Nov. 9, including measures on property taxes, sports betting and term limits for elected officials.