Last week, West Virginia University (WVU) celebrated the grand opening of a $16 million transportation hub that includes a commuter student lounge with couches, wireless Internet access and lockers to store books.

The 7,000-square-foot Mountaineer Station features a 500-space parking garage for both permit and short-term use, a commuter student lounge with lockers, interior bicycle storage and showers, a waiting area for Mountain Line and campus bus passengers, direct access to the Health Sciences Center PRT Station, and information stations for Mountain Line and WVU transportation services.

"This was the perfect place to build and operate such a facility at West Virginia University because of the conveniently located PRT station and Mountain Line bus stop," said Hugh E. Kierig, director of WVU Transportation and Parking. "The fact that Mountaineer Station promotes a variety of transportation modes including biking and walking is an even greater benefit to the campus and community. The intermodal center goes hand-in-hand with the WE Go Campaign to promote alternative transportation, reduce traffic congestion, and active transport."

U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.) and WVU President James Clements attended the grand opening as well as other campus and community leaders. There was also an open house from to allow the general public to tour the new building.

The construction on Mountaineer Station began in October of last year and the project cost about $16 million with $5.1 million coming from a U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration grant. U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va. was instrumental in securing the federal funds for Mountaineer Station.