ROANOKE, Va. – After years of planning, the new Valley Metro bus station on Third Street in downtown Roanoke is nearing competition.
The new location is on the corner of Third Street and Salem Avenue.
Valley Metro General Manager Kevin Price said construction is ahead of schedule.
“We’ve finished the south canopy and we are working on the north canopy which will house 11 buses in their own individual slips. And we are also putting in new technology so each individual bus will have its own schedule and announcements,” said Price.
The new station offers more space for riders as well as an indoor lounge and restrooms, which riders say they’re pleased with.
“It’s so much nicer, getting in and out,” said one rider, Toby Shannon. “It’s cleaner.”
The new location hasn’t come without pushback form community members, like Bev Fitzpatrick, who’s concerned about traffic, especially affecting businesses nearby.
“Norfolk Avenue, where it goes back up through there, not only provides access for the transportation museum but also will be necessary for the new school board office and the buildings further up. So I hope it won’t restrict traffic on Norfolk Avenue because that will be a big problem,” he said.
Another concern is the buses that currently park on Salem Avenue while unloading and loading passengers.
Price said that location for buses is only temporary until the final north canopy is complete.
“Those buses will transition over to their home in late April or May. So we are getting close,” said Price.
Since the station moved from Campbell Court to Third Street, Price said ridership has increased monthly.
He expects that trend to continue when the station is complete in the Spring.