The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff joined members of the Texas Congressional Delegation and local officials in Brownsville at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Brownsville Intermodal Terminal to be built, in part, with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds, on Monday.

The completed $31.3 million project will improve and expand local, regional and international transportation services to and from Brownsville and will aid in the revitalization of the central business district.

Located within walking distance of the Gateway International Bridge, the 45,600 square feet of floor space will be built upon six acres and include a visitor reception room, passenger waiting areas, intercity bus company counters, package express area and transit office space. It will also accommodate administrative office space for 105 employees, 32 buses — 14 local and 18 intercity, and will include approximately 12,000 square feet of joint development space for retail, restaurant or entertainment.

The facility will serve as the administrative and operating facilities of the Brownsville transit system and national and international private transportation providers. It will also serve as a transfer point for rural and intercity operators and taxi cabs.