[IMAGE]ClevelandRTAPuritasTransitStation-2.jpg[/IMAGE] Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) opened the doors of its new $9.6 million state-of-the-art Puritas Rapid Transit Station on Tuesday.

[IMAGE]ClevelandRTAPuritasRibbonCutting-2.jpg[/IMAGE] The design of the reconstructed station stemmed from input from the local community, to include both residential and commercial aspects. Part of the design funding came from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI) grant, and is the first completed TLCI project.

RTA worked collaboratively with Bellaire-Puritas Development Corp., the Kamms Corner Development Corp., and City of Cleveland Councilmen Martin Sweeney and Martin J. Keane on this station. Construction funding came from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

The reconstructed station features a red brick entrance at Puritas Avenue and a smaller, residential style entrance at West 154th Street. Its 6,500 square foot main building has a grand foyer and rounded portico, along with a 130-foot bridge connecting passengers to the train’s platform. Parking includes nearly 600 parking spaces, with a row of dedicated overnight spaces, where customers can leave their cars at no charge for up to seven days.

The Puritas Rapid Transit Station has typically been one of RTA’s top five stations for ridership on the Red Line, due to ample parking and easy access from I-71. With gas prices rising and summer construction season underway, RTA anticipates the reconstructed station to be busy; bustling with commuters.