Easton Intermodal Transportation Center Update

It has been a while since we talked about the Easton Intermodal Transportation Project (EITC) so we wanted to give everyone an update. The 45,000 square foot complex, with an attached garage, the site of the former Perkins restaurant and the long-shuttered Majestic Theater on 3rd Street. This project will not only be the spot for the EITC but also for Easton City Hall, a large parking deck, TransBridge and Susquehanna tour bus terminals and additional vendor space. The main purpose of the transit center is to provide a protected off-street transfer center and terminal for transit and intercity transfers with access to parking. Transportation infrastructure in the form of the intermodal center project will support the economic revitalization of Downtown Easton. You may be wondering where the funds are coming from for this new facility. The Federal Transit Administration, City of Easton, LANta and the Easton Parking Authority have all banded together to make this project a success. A total of $25,000,000 has been awarded to complete this project. $10,000,000 is earmarked for phase one of the project and $15,000,000 for phase two. Ground was broken for phase one, a $10,000,000 project, of the facility on a cold and rainy day in March 2013. This phase includes the erection of a 3–story parking deck and some rough work on the actual building. Work started October 2013 after the RFP’s were awarded and Wilmer Schultz of Emmaus was awarded the contract for general contractor. Also, electrical work is supplied by Thomas Hoffman of Allentown and plumbing and HVAC by KC Mechanical of Mt. Bethel. Due to the extreme and unexpected weather conditions during the early months of 2014 this phase is expected to be complete by the end of 2014. Phase two, with a $15,000,000 budget, will include Easton City Hall and the building of all interior rooms: offices, operator room, passenger waiting rooms, and other facilities necessary for the comfort of transit passengers. Bids for this work were advertised on March 10, 2014 and are due to Easton by April 4, 2013.They are for a general contractor, plumbing company, electrical and HVAC companies and a company that will install elevators. All Easton buses will enter the facility off 3rd Street allowing passengers to alight under roof and also wait for their bus in a closed facility out of the elements with the necessary comforts. When it is complete in spring 2015 this new transportation center will be similar to the Allentown Transfer Center (ATC) 6th and Linden Street.