Though West Virginia University’s new intermodal facility begins operation Tuesday, Mountaineer Station’s new facilities for the Office of Transportation and Parking open today. The station, located in front of the Health Sciences PRT station, is scheduled for a grand opening Monday. Its basic purpose is to serve as a transportation facility for commuters. It features a 500-space parking garage, interior bicycle storage, showers for bicyclists and pedestrians, a student commuter lounge with lockers, indoor and exterior for individuals waiting for a bus and direct access to the Medical Center PRT, among other things. "It is a real benefit for both the WVU students and the community. Students can park their car and take the PRT or wait on the bus if they have to go elsewhere," said Hugh Kierig, director of parking and transportation at WVU. The Office of Transportation and Parking originally located on University Avenue has also been relocated to Mountaineer Station. It was closed from Oct. 8 until Oct. 15 as the staff moved and settled into their new office. The station has been under construction since October 2008, Kierig said, though planning began three years ago. Students will have access to the facility beginning Tuesday. The station is also part of the University’s WE GO! campaign, which promotes alternative forms of transportation. Officials hope it will help increase students’ use of public transportation and therefore limit carbon emissions. Officials also hope the facility will curb traffic congestion downtown and better accommodate the transportation needs of the north side of Morgantown. Junior petroleum and natural gas major Danial Shami echoed the sentiments of officials, saying that he hopes the new facility will add a convenient access point for students living near or studying on the Health Sciences Campus. "And it will really help reduce traffic on football game days and nights," he said. Students will have access to the facility beginning Tuesday.
Intermodal facility to open Tuesday
Published: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Updated: Thursday, October 15, 2009 00:10
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