Delaware, city officials break ground on Wilmington transit hub

Delaware officials broke ground Monday for the $10 million Wilmington Transit Center, near the city’s Biden Train Station and Greyhound bus hub.

The new transit center, which will serve most bus routes in Wilmington, will be large enough to accommodate 10 buses at one time. The indoor facility will include a waiting area, real-time bus schedule displays, ticket sales area, WiFi service, parking for cars and bike racks.

“We are making millions of dollars of needed infrastructure investments across the city, and this is another milestone project for Wilmington,” said Gov. John Carney during the ceremony. “This transit center will serve thousands of customers every day and provide the convenience and amenities that they deserve.”

The transit center — funded through a private-public partnership — is part of $250 million in investments to improve transit and transportation infrastructure in Wilmington. It’s expected to open in December 2019.

The groundbreaking follows months of protests over the state’s decision to eliminate bus routes from Rodney Square.

State and city officials said the transition to a transit hub will improve mobility and convenience.

“Seeing the beautiful renderings, I think they would agree it’s going to be adding to the community and hopefully everyone will buy in to it,” said city Councilwoman Michelle Harlee.

“It’s going to boost the economy, just having all the transit areas right here,” she said. “It’s going to be helpful to the restaurants, all the businesses up and down Market Street.”