CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Construction of a new park and ride to replace the previous parking lot in Christiansburg is nearing completion.
Construction of the $5.2 million lot, located off Interstate 81 near exit 118, is about five times the size of the original park and ride.
The original had 65 parking spaces and was about one acre, while the new lot has about 270 spaces and is 5.2 acres.
VDOT says the new lot, which opened for use this month, is designed to accommodate bus traffic and allows for convenient access to the parking area.
"We're excited that we're able to deliver this project. Concerned parents have wanted a relocated facility, it's a great new facility," said Jason Bond, spokesperson of VDOT. "It's a lot bigger, it's expanded and of course this new location moving away from the Falling Branch Elementary School helps parents who were concerned... For commuters and travelers who use the lot every day, it's a much nicer and larger facility."
The work on this project is expected to be completed in about a month.
It will be named after a fallen soldier from Christiansburg, Kenneth Gibson, who died in 2008.