Debated Bus Transfer Station Begins Relocation Downtown

According to The Pilot, tomorrow marks the opening of the new temporary Bus Transfer Station off St. Paul's Blvd. on Wood Street in Downtown Norfolk.

Design of the permanent Bus Transfer Station

CC Image courtesy of Norfolk Public Works

The relocation of the station from sketchy Cedar Grove parking lot off Monticello Ave. marks the first step towards the construction of the permanent station in the Downtown Plaza in St. Paul's quadrant, where the old ABC store stands.

While the new temporary station boasts a more centralized location with shelter bays, better security, lighting, and restrooms, downtown residents still question the logic in its location.  Rush hour off of St. Paul's Blvd. is already miserable.  Now, throw in a station that will connect up to 16 routes with about 5,000 riders stopping by the station each day.

Kevin Murphy, president of the Downtown Norfolk Civic League summed this up.

"We're happy that it's moving out of Cedar Grove - that hasn't been good for anyone," he said.  "But I'll be very curious to see how traffic is impacted during rush hour.  There's a lot of concern about St. Paul's Boulevard."

Initially, the plan was to locate the bus station near Harbor Park as part of a grand multi-modal transportation station that would connect passenger rail, light rail, taxi and ferry.  However, after much debate surrounding the cost, the city decided to go with the St. Paul's location.

It will be interesting to see if the temporary station serves as a litmus test for the permanent station and if any changes will be made.

For design information of the permanent station, click here.