There’s a lot going on in Central Texas, and CapMetro is no different. The agency is working hard to continue advancing a wide range of projects to advance our services and facilities. These investments will strengthen our transit network, expand capacity, and prepare us for a more sustainable future. Let’s take a look at the major projects we currently have underway.
CapMetro Rapid Projects
As part of Project Connect, we introduced two new Rapid lines in February 2025—Rapid 800 (Pleasant Valley) and Rapid 837 (Expo Center). These new routes have truly enhanced transit connectivity to areas east of I-35, and their frequency will increase to every 10-15 minutes this Summer.
There are currently 75 stops in service along both routes. Of those 75:
- 83% have shelters installed (100% expected by Summer 2026)
- 46 shelters are Austin Energy grid-tied
- 31 are stand-alone solar-powered
- Learn more about the initial phase and future of our newest Rapid routes here.
We are also very excited to open two new Park & Ride facilities expected to be completed this spring! The CapMetro Expo Center Park & Ride will start the line on Rapid 837. This new station will include eight bus bays, 159 customer parking spaces, and four charging stations with the potential to add more in the future.
The CapMetro Goodnight Ranch Park & Ride will end the line on Rapid 800 and include four bus bays, four charging stations and 64 customer parking spaces.
Expo Center Park & Ride
Expo Center Park & Ride
CapMetro Infrastructure Projects
CapMetro reached a major milestone last year with the implementation of our new battery‑electric bus charging facility at 2910 E 5th St. This charging site strengthens the agency’s transition toward a cleaner, zero‑emission fleet. The facility’s key components include:
- Two high‑capacity chargers (1.44 MW each)
- 48 dispensers
- Two switchboards
- Two 1500 kVA transformers
Construction is actively progressing on our next major electric bus charging hub at 9315 Old McNeil Rd. This project is forecast for completion in Winter 2026, supporting long‑term fleet electrification. The facility’s planned components will include:
- 30 electric chargers
- 90 pantograph (overhead) dispensers
- A 267,000‑square‑foot solar array generating 4 MW of power
CapMetro Rail Projects
The CapMetro Red Line has a lot going on.
Starting in the southern part of the line, the agency is working on a double tracking project from Onion Street to an area known as the Austin Wye, which is just east of Robert T. Martinez Street. This project will also include rail platform improvements at Plaza Saltillo, reconfiguration of East Fifth Street, and upgrades to the adjacent bike trail. It’s all to enhance service reliability, reduce delays, and increase the comfort of the Red Line Trail while maintaining access and safety for all traveling in the area.
Work is also underway to expand CapMetro’s Red Line Maintenance Facility to improve operational resilience. This will include an expanded storage area, track extension, and emergency generator. Completion is forecast for Spring 2026.
Another major improvement coming to the Red Line is being built in partnership with Brandywine Realty Trust, the North Burnet/Uptown Station. It’s currently under construction in Uptown ATX, a 66-acre mixed-use development in North Austin, near the Charles Schwab campus and the Domain to support the rapidly growing area. Completion of this new rail station is forecast for mid-2027 and key features will include:
- Two double‑length platforms to accommodate high-capacity service
- Over a half mile of double track supporting operational reliability
- Pedestrian and bike‑friendly pathways
- Seamless connections to local bus routes for combined transit options
- 200 customers parking spaces
- Various safety and security enhancements, including lighting and surveillance
We are also currently partnering with TxDOT as part of the I-35 Capital Express Central Project. This project is one of the most important mobility projects in Central Texas and will have a long-term footprint on the fabric of our community. CapMetro’s planned transit enhancements are dependent on the design of the future I-35. Key stages for the project’s construction will include:
- Drainage tunnel passing beneath the CapMetro Rail track at Airport Blvd & 4th St. Construction started in June 2025 and scheduled for completion in mid-2029.
- Railroad bridge at IH‑35 & 4th St. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2027.
- Railroad realignment and shoofly (temporary track) at IH-35 & Airport. Construction on the shoofly (temporary track) is scheduled to begin in Summer 2029, and full railroad realignment is scheduled to begin in Summer 2030.
- T-Ramp with overhead bus access from I-35 to the Tech Ridge Park & Ride. Construction schedule is still to be determined.
CapMetro Bus Stop Improvement Projects
Through targeted bus stop upgrades, CapMetro continued to enhance the speed, safety and customer experience when traveling around Austin. In FY25, our agency delivered numerous improvements to bus stops across the area:
- 127 benches
- 87 new shelters
- 86 solar lights
- 84 bus stop improvement projects
These new bus stop improvements have supported comfort, safety, and accessibility across the network.
CapMetro Facilities Projects
To better support all of our services across Central Texas, many of our facilities are also getting upgrades. Here is a list of the CapMetro facilities currently under construction, along with the status of each.
CapMetro Eligibility Center: 624 North Pleasant Valley
- Our new customer‑facing facility will replace the currently leased site at 209 E. 9th. and will feature ADA upgrades along with a new end‑of‑life HVAC system.
- Bidding begins in early 2026, with construction forecast for late 2026.
CapMetro North Base Demand Response Facility & Central Warehouse: 10805 Cameron
- This LEED-certified workplace and warehouse is designed to meet the demands of our growing demand response ridership (CapMetro Access & Pickup Services).
- Partially funded by the Federal Transit Administration, our new facility will accommodate an expanding fleet, consolidate CapMetro leased sites, create efficient warehouse operations, generate jobs, expand transit access and create a multi-use public space to benefit the community.
- Construction will take place from 2025 to 2027 with full completion expected in 2028.
- A temporary North Base facility at 817 West Howard is currently supporting demand response in the interim.
- Learn more about this project and sign up for future updates here.
Each of our current and ongoing projects demonstrates our sustained commitment to building a more reliable, resilient, and customer‑focused transit network for a rapidly growing region. With major investments underway in electrification, rail capacity, facilities and rider amenities, CapMetro is laying the groundwork for a modern transit system that can meet Central Texas’s mobility needs for decades to come.
