Local transportation officials are making progress on the Austin Light Rail project, following the Austin Transit Partnership board's approval of a $60 million design-build contract for the first phase of the project Feb. 18. With this contract now in place, the project is on track to begin construction in 2027. 

The update: Austin Rail Constructors will help shape and build the design and construction of the transitway, tracks, systems, stations, bridges, traffic signals, utilities, drainage structures and streetscape improvements. Funding for the contract is included in ATP's 2025-26 budget. 

About the project: The 10-mile long project is part of Project Connect, which was approved by voters in 2020. The system will feature 15 stations along the alignment and all-electric trains running every 5-10 minutes throughout most of the day.

Looking ahead: While the approved contract is only for the first phase of the project, or 1A, the agency expects to come back to the ATP board later this summer to authorize services for phase 1B to finish the final design. 

Global technology company Arm Inc. was awarded a $4.16 million state grant to support the expansion of its Austin campus, an estimated $71 million project.

The details: The award to United Kingdom-based Arm is the latest through the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund, or TSIF, the grant program established under the Texas CHIPS Act of 2023.

What's happening: The expansion project including a new semiconductor lab at Arm's Texas office, located at 5707 Southwest Parkway, Bldg. 1, Ste. 100, is expected to create more than 320 jobs. The facility is central to the design of advanced processors for mobile, cloud, and data center uses, according to Abbott's office.

The background: The new state grant is one of nearly two dozen awards announced through the innovation fund program since late 2024, a majority of which has been directed to the Central Texas region.

Sauna House, a new wellness destination, opened in North Central Austin in November.

How it works: The Nordic spa provides contrast therapy in which patrons spend time in a wood-fired sauna followed by a cold plunge. The thermal cycle is intended to reset the nervous system, according to the business's website.

Memberships and drop-in appointments are available.Opened Nov. 7

• 1507 W. N. Loop Blvd., Austin