The new Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor is likely a month from opening.
Even when the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority opens the building buses will continue to load passengers in temporary locations until spring. That's because the driveway for the buses won't be completed until then.
AAATA Community Relations Manager Mary Stasiak says the new transit center didn't open in January as hoped because of the approval process for the heated pavement took longer than expected. The construction project then ran into the severe winter weather in January.
Stasiak notes the heated pavement will be safer for passengers to walk on and reduce maintenance costs.
The 12-thousand square foot facility will include a larger lobby than the original Blake Transit Center and more restrooms for the five-thousand daily passengers. It also has a larger staff break-room, showers for employees, office space, and a remote operations center. The building is designed to have additional floors added on top with minimal disruption to operations.
WEMU's earlier coverage on what to expect in the new Blake Transit Center.
— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.
