Harkin, Federal Transit Chief Among Guests to Celebrate Ames New Transportation Center Saturday

Key local and federal officials will be on hand to mark the opening of a high dollar new transit center in Ames on Saturday.

ISU President Steven Leath, Mayor Ann Campbell, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff and U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, D-IA, all plan to speak at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Ames Intermodal Facility.

A mix of federal and local funding is paying for the $9.2 million facility.

The ceremony is at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at 129 Hayward Ave. Speeches begin at noon.

Earlier this week construction crews were . Construction began in March 2011.

The facility brings bus terminals for major lines, bicycling facilities and parking all under one roof in the commercial district right off of campus.

Attendees are asked to enter from the back on Sheldon Avenue.

Summerfest, a celebration and showcase of Campustown on Welch Avenue, kicks off later Saturday.

Here's More on the Ames Intermodal Facility:

• $9.2 million: What it cost to build the facility. Funding was secured through the U.S. Department of Transportation's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Iowa's Intercity Bus program and a federal appropriation. CyRide did provide a federal match of $87,500.
• 16: The number of months it took to build.
• 384: Parking spaces available.

 What's inside

• Bus Terminal for Jefferson, Burlington Trailways, Executive Express and HIRTA
• Shower and bike locker facilities
• Public Restrooms
• Taxi Stand
• 20 free parking spaces for car pools