NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A long-awaited hub for multimodal transit is expected to welcome travelers in Newport News, just months from now. A city spokeswoman said it should open sometime in May or June.
"When it first started opening and it got there and they were breaking ground, I was so excited. I told my husband, 'I don't care where we're going, we're getting on it,'" said Jennifer Lawrence, who was already eager to plan a trip.
Once the Newport News Transportation Center is done, it'll take the place of the existing Amtrak station in the city.
"This one is up here, it looks so nice. I'm ready. I'm so ready," said Lawrence.
The center is supposed to serve as a hub of sorts off Bland Boulevard, not far from Interstate 64. It is roughly six to seven minutes away from the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport.
Wallace Jarvis is excited about the final product, "Location is great. I think it'd be alright. It can accommodate everybody, I believe."
And that's everybody from flyers, shuttle or Hampton Roads Transit riders, to rideshare users and Amtrak customers.
"Not a lot, but when I do travel, I use Amtrak," said Jarvis.
The entire project has a roughly $53 million price tag, Newport News city spokesperson Kim Bracy said. However, a lot of grants are slashing the cost for taxpayers.
Bracy estimated the city pitching in $1.48 million, but around $1.3 million are coming from a separate infrastructure project that didn't end up needing the money.
"The possibilities are endless. It's going to be fun," said Lawrence.
Preliminary design stages date back to 2012, according to online records.
Project managers wanted to open the transportation center in 2022. But because of delays, like with the supply chain, the projected opening is now in May or June.
13News Now also received the following statement from Amtrak on Wednesday:
"We’re actively working with our partners to facilitate the move to the Newport News Transportation Center."