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CARTS hub at Marble Falls train depot delayed

Capital Area Rural Transit System has delayed work on an historic train depot building on U.S. 281 and RR 1431 in Marble Falls to convert it into a transportation hub. Due to a health issue with the contractor, work might not begin until May and could possibly be complete a couple of months after it begins. File photo

CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS  — Contractors have postponed renovations and upgrades to the Old Train Depot building to provide a  transportation hub for CARTS buses and vans known in the Highland Lakes for primarily catering to disabled and elderly clientele.

Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) was expected in March to begin operating out of the building, located on U.S. 281 just off FM 1431, but officials pushed the deadline forward until sometime this summer.

“Due to some health reasons with the contractor, they had to delay the start time. They’re still going to move forward with the project,” Marble Falls City Manager Mike Hodge said. “We’ll probably see work begin within the next 30 days. It will probably take them two months to do, so it will open up in the May time period.”

Work will include disability access upgrades and outfitting the office to accomodate offices for the Austin-based service. CARTS, which receives state funding, provides service in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays and Lee counties as well as outlying areas of Travis and Williamson counties.

At the end of 2014, the city of Marble Falls agreed to an interlocal agreement with CARTS to lease the vacant depot for about $500 per month.

Before the agreement, drivers coordinated pickups and dropoffs in public parking lots.

Fares range from $2 to $6 depending on distance of travel with some routes taking local customers from the Blanco, Burnet and Marble Falls areas to hospitals and other facilities in the Austin area.

The depot had served as the town’s visitors center until March 2013.

Constructed in 1893, the building was moved from its original location adjacent to the city’s rail lines to its current one in 1976.

connie@thepicayune.com