Albany gets green light for new transportation center following environmental assessment

ALBANY — The Federal Transit Administration has determined that the Albany Transportation Center project will result in no significant impact on the environment, bringing it one step closer to reality.

The project will be designed and constructed using federal, state and local funds. The environmental assessment was complete in May, and officials said it is in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Albany Transportation Director David Hamilton said the new transportation center will be built at the location of the current center at the intersection of West Oglethorpe Boulevard and South Jackson Street.

“I am excited that this project has finally progressed past the environmental phase,” he said. “The stage is now set to design and construct a much-needed transportation facility that this community deserves and can be proud of for years to come.”

All technical documents have been independently evaluated by the FTA. The completion of the environmental process will allow the city of Albany to move forward with property acquisition, design and ultimately, the construction of a long-awaited transportation center.

Hamilton said the Georgia Department of Transportation must approve the new structure’s design, which could take six months. The old building will be demolished and the site cleared before new construction begins. The entire process from design to move-in date could take as long as two years.

A revised timeline is expected to be provided at a later date. Hamilton said the entire project will cost more than $10 million based on 2017 dollars.