University Dedicates New Intermodal Transit Facility

Celebration includes state dignitaries instrumental to the facility’s funding and creation

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas’ new Intermodal Transit facility was formally dedicated today with the assistance of several Arkansas dignitaries instrumental in both funding and creating the facility. Construction on the $8,260,900 facility began on August 28, 1997 and it opened in June 1999.

"It gives me tremendous pleasure to help dedicate this facility and to share this celebration with several people here today who were instrumental in securing funding and in the creation of this much needed, modern and truly beautiful facility," said UA Chancellor John A. White.

"The support demonstrated by Representative Asa Hutchinson in particular should be recognized, as he was the driving force in garnering the funding for new buses for Razorback Transit that will carry over 1.5 million passengers each year. Also instrumental to this facility was the advice and support given to us by Dan Flowers, the director of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department and Jim Gilbert, the head of the Arkansas Public Transportation Administration.

"We are deeply grateful to all those who helped us turn this vision into the reality you see today that so greatly enhances our campus services," White said.

An invaluable and longtime friend of the University and also key to the facility’s funding and creation is Senator Dale Bumpers.

"Senator Dale Bumpers provided tremendous support to the University of Arkansas through his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee," said Christie Dawson, UA Director for Congressional Relations. "The University has benefited tremendously from his tenure in Washington, DC. We are grateful that he chose to support higher education, and university research and development to such a great extent. We are on our way to being a world-class university and Senator Bumpers is responsible for starting us on that path. He will be sorely missed by his friends at the University of Arkansas.

"It is awesome to look around the campus and see, not only the Intermodal Transit Facility, but the many other areas in which the Senator took an intense interest."

Located next to the Arkansas Union, the facility’s central location will provide convenience to those riding the Razorback Transit buses and to those needing to park near the heart of the campus, said Gary Smith, director of UA Parking and Transit.

"We are excited to have this modern transit and parking facility open. It is a tremendous addition to our campus that will provide many conveniences," Smith said.

"This facility will truly serve our campus in many ways including being a central Razorback Transit stop and parking area that will provide excellent access for both bus passengers and parkers to the newly renovated Arkansas Union with convenient access to the Bookstore, Food Court, other services that are very important to our students."

The facility also provides convenient parking and access to Mullins Library, Fine Arts (including the theatre), and the Museum.

One of the most exciting conveniences the facility offers is a common stop for all seven Razorback Transit routes, Smith said. "Passengers can ride any route to this facility and transfer to any other route. We’re pleased to be able to offer transit passengers an environmentally controlled terminal as comfortable location to wait for their buses."

The 210,000 sq. ft. facility provides 596 additional parking spaces to campus -- 350 metered, 225 reserved and 21 resident reserved. The 350 metered parking spaces are available to anyone paying the parking meter fee of 80 cents per hour, payable by cash, change, credit card or a Transit and Parking Debit card. Debit cards are available at the Transit and Parking Department. Meter payment is required from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The facility was designed by Wittenberg, Delony and Davidson of Fayetteville, Ark. and the contract work was done by Kinco, Inc. of Springdale, Ark.

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