The McKalla Station will be a new MetroRail station located on the rail corridor, approximately 850 feet south of Braker Lane and adjacent to the new Major League Soccer (MLS) Stadium. This station will serve as a key transit option for stadium customers, and serve the greater community as an expanded service for the MetroRail Red Line; large residential areas exist to the east of the proposed station, and major commercial, retail, and university areas in the vicinity.
The MetroRail corridor at this location is currently single-track. Double tracking for the station is anticipated as part of the project. The McKalla Station will generally include new rail platforms and queuing areas to accommodate large crowds, new double-track, all necessary signal and positive train control (PTC) updates and integration, site-specific custom canopies, utilities and electrical service, pedestrian path and area lighting, ticket-vending machines, dynamic message signs, Wi-Fi, emergency telephone and security cameras, trash and recycling receptacles, platform seating; and must be ADA compliant.
The Huitt-Zollars team initiated early scoping with FTA Region VI to determine the class of action for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation. In accordance with FTA’s Standard Operating Procedures, the team identified environmental constraints, permitting and/or mitigation requirements, conducted field surveys, and analyzed potential project impacts to support the development of a D-List Categorical Exclusion (CE). The team also completed Section 106 Consultation and Title VI Analysis to obtain environmental approval through constant coordination with FTA.