New Redmond Transit Hub finally complete
The city of Redmond cut the ribbon Thursday on its brand-new transit hub that sits between Lowe’s and Fred Meyer.
It’s a big improvement from the previous connecting point that was just in front of the Redmond Library.
The new Cascade Easts Transit hub has been in the works for about three years and under construction for about a year.
It will officially open on July 2 and will offer a number of new features, including a real-time arrival and departure sign, passenger shelters, a covered bike rack, bathrooms and a waiting garden.
Bus riders, including Trevor Johnson, are looking forward to the upgrades.
“So I’ve been riding transit here for several amount of years, and I’ve noticed a great change in the system,” Johnson said. “And it’s taken some time, but I think this new transit hub for Redmond will definitely benefit the community and getting around more accessibly.”
And accessibility was very much taken into account for this project, according to Jordan Ohlde, a member of the regional public transportation committee.
“It looks good. They got a lot of amenities with the ADA right the first time, so they don’t have to fix it again,” Ohlde said.
The entire project cost $1.7 million, $1.1 million of which came from an Oregon Department of Transportation Connect Oregon grant.
Redmond Mayor George Endicott said the hub will provide people with easier transportation between communities.
“The inter-connectivity is critical,” he said. “We have students. We have disabled. We have seniors. We have people going to doctor’s appointments. And it isn’t just Redmond, it’s the entire region. That’s what makes this such an important effort.”
The hub will provide direct connections between Redmond, Sisters, Bend, Prineville and Madras
Each month, 10,000 people take the bus from Redmond, and officials say it’s important that the new hub is capable of accommodating Central Oregon’s growing population.
It’s also the topic of our new KTVZ.COM Poll. We’re asking: Do you use CET to travel between Bend and Redmond, and if so, how often? Find our poll halfway down the right side of our home page.
