Known as the McKalla Station, it’ll be located on Delta Drive and include two regular platforms, plus a special event platform. The latter will serve as a way of increasing options in the area around North Burnet Road.
It’ll be some time before Austin FC fans can use the station to head to a game. Slated for a late 2023 opening, the station will be part of the Red Line running from Leander to the downtown convention center.
When voters approved Project Connect—a public transit plan to add light rail lines, a downtown subway, an expanded bus system, and an all-electric fleet—in November 2020, the estimated cost was $7.1 billion. Due to inflation pressures and supply chain constraints, estimates rose to $10.3 billion in the spring. Austonia contacted CapMetro about whether those estimates have changed and did not hear back by the time of publication.
Implementing the part of the plan focused on the Red Line involves the introduction of quiet zones and the creation of the Broadmoor station for the Domain area. Plus, the use of double tracking allows for higher frequency service since trains can move in either direction at the same time rather than sharing a single track.
On Monday evening, transportation leaders with Project Connect are hosting a groundbreaking for the station. In attendance will be Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion and Texas lawmakers.
