Chatham Area Transit (CAT) in Savannah, GA, broke ground Feb. 29 for its new downtown intermodal transit center, at the current location of the Greyhound terminal. The event served as the culmination of many years of planning and designing this facility.

When completed, the intermodal facility will accommodate 14 buses simultaneously at the passenger transfer platform; Greyhound buses will board at four other bays at a separate location on the site. CAT and Greyhound will share the lobby, but each will have its own ticket counter and administrative support areas.

The design of the transit center provides for LEED Gold certification, with improved roof and wall insulation, more efficient mechanical and electrical systems, and new exterior doors and windows. Also, a new brick plaza accommodating a bike-share program will replace part of the deteriorated asphalt driveway surface.

CAT Executive Director Chadwick Reese said: “The CAT project represents a strong and immediate commitment to efficient transportation. Its design will encourage increased ground transit use. Equally important, it will establish another anchor in Savannah’s urban fabric, setting an important standard for future development on adjacent properties and promoting integration with nearby university development.”

As required by the State Historic Preservation Office, the new facility will retain the light-colored brick exterior and exposed concrete structure of the original 1964 structure at the site.

Participants in ceremonies at the site of Chatham Area Transit’s new downtown intermodal center in Savannah, GA, are, from left, Valerie Ragland, CAT marketing manager; Mark Joseph, chief executive officer, Veolia Transportation; Calvin Kennedy, president, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1324; and Dr. Chadwick Reese, CAT executive director.