AUSTIN, Texas — Capital Metro is planning on adding a second set of train tracks along the Red Line in East Austin.
The new tracks at the Plaza Saltillo Station will run from east of Robert T. Martinez Street to Onion Street for about seven blocks.
The city and CapMetro will also add new sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and an additional platform at the station.
By “double-tracking,” the transportation agency is aiming to improve the frequency and reliability of rail service, as trains can run in both directions simultaneously. A similar double-track project was completed between Lakeline and Leander stations last year as part of the Project Connect expansion.
The designs for the new track will likely be developed next year, while construction will likely start in 2026.
More than half of the cost for the $32.2 million project will come from federal funding. CapMetro was given an $18 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Meanwhile, the city of Austin will contribute around $900,000 for its part of the project, which includes street upgrades such as sidewalks and crosswalks.