Representatives of PC Construction, an AGC of Vermont member, recently joined a host of federal, state and city of Burlington officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new $7.7 million, 10,250-sq-ft Chittenden County Transit Authority (CCTA) Downtown Transit Center intended to support growing ridership, transform customer experiences, and promote economic development in Burlington and beyond.

The new CCTA facility will be located on St. Paul Street between Cherry and Pearl Streets in downtown Burlington.

Collaborating with the design team of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB), which is providing engineering services, and TruexCullins as the lead architectural design consultant, PC Construction expects to complete CCTA’s new transportation hub in the summer of 2016.

"We’re moving Burlington’s central bus depot from a shed on one side of Cherry Street to a modern, fully equipped transit center that compares favorably with transportation facilities in much larger metro areas, including airports and big-city train stations," said Miro Weinberger, mayor of Burlington and a long-time advocate for public transportation in Vermont’s largest city.

Mayor Weinberger was joined at the groundbreaking by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, the most senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who secured the federal funding for the project. Sen. Leahy noted in his remarks the importance of public transit for all citizens, especially in rural states like Vermont where most people cannot walk or ride a bike to work.

Once the two-level terminal is completed, CCTA expects that the Downtown Transit Center will serve more than one million riders annually. Amenities will include a climate-controlled indoor waiting area, restrooms, and a covered steel-and-glass canopy. In addition, a secure, on-site break room on the lower level will provide a respite for drivers between shifts and will include a kitchen, quiet room, and restrooms.

"Our passengers deserve a first-class facility, and we are excited that this partnership between CCTA and PC Construction is going to give them just that," said Karen Walton, general manager, CCTA. "Let's all cross our fingers that we have great weather this summer, and next year this time we will be cutting the ribbon!"

"PC Construction started out more than 50 years ago building public works projects in Vermont," said Jay Fayette, senior vice president for PC Construction. "Since then, our employee-owners have managed projects large and small for various industries around the country, but we’re honored to have the opportunity to build CCTA’s exciting new Downtown Transit Center right here in Burlington."

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