AUSTIN, Texas — On Thursday, Capital Metro presented preliminary design plans for the upcoming MetroRail McKalla Station near Q2 Stadium.
The transit agency said the design of the station aims to balance everyday commuters and high-volume events like Austin FC matches.
CapMetro said it is 30% done with the design for the McKalla Station project, which includes two passenger platforms, a passenger crossing, customer amenities and more. The project also includes installing double tracks from north of Burnet Road to the Capital Metro North Operations and Maintenance Facility near US 183, drainage infrastructure along the tracks and improvements at three rail crossings.
CapMetro leaders did say the limited amount of space available for the station has created some design obtacles.
"Our design options are somewhat constrained. We have to design a station that will serve up to 20,000 people on game days and balance that with a comfortable, accessible, safe and reliable facility for our regular customers," said King Kaul, director of capital projects for CapMetro. "As with all our rail projects, I must say that public safety is our number one priority."
The McKalla Station project is expected to cost $24 million. CapMetro said it could be completed as early as fall 2023.
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