CapMetro Rail's new McKalla Station will officially open for public use on Saturday, the same day Austin FC kicks off its first home match of the 2024 Major League Soccer season. Rides on the rail line will be free that day courtesy the club's Q2 Stadium.
The station is adjacent to Austin FC's home field and is connected directly to the stadium by bike and foot paths.
“This transformational addition to our neighborhood and matchday experience is the result of remarkable collaboration and commitment from our partners at City of Austin, CapMetro, Project Connect, and Austin Transit Partnership,” said Austin FC's Andy Loughnane. “Having Q2 Stadium be directly accessible via easy-to-use, environmentally friendly public transportation is a gamechanger for our club, our fans, and our community.”
The commissioning of McKalla Station is part of a master transit plan put into place in 2018. The stop at 10414 McKalla Place was built to provide passengers on the MetroRail Red Line access to the stadium, and its construction was part of the city's negotiations with owners and developers as it went through its approval process.
Construction of the station, estimated to cost $58.8 million, began in 2022. The double-tracked facility has two platforms on each side and connecting pedestrian and bicycle paths to the stadium. It'll be open on the day of home team Austin FC's first match of its 2024 season, against Minnestoa United FC, CapMetro announced on social media.
McKalla Station features two platforms; in addition, a third platform will be open when are events at the stadium. In addition, several trains will be staged on the tracks on stadium event days, and trains will depart frequently until the platforms are clear of passengers. CapMetro will continue to stage route 803 buses along Bright Verde Way for egress.
“This is a huge win for our community and we’re proud to deliver this Project Connect investment on time and on budget,” said CapMetro's Dottie Watkins.
The station will be officially opened with ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 am Saturday.
