Durbin sends extra money to bus transfer center project

ROCKFORD — Federal money keeps pouring in for ’s east-side transfer center.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., recently released $2 million in federal funds for the project, $1 million more than RMTD officials expected.

The district now has about $6.2 million in federal and state funds for the planned Lyford Road facility, which could cost between $6 million and $8 million.

The more money officials can find, the nicer the facility they can build, spokeswoman Lisa Brown said. They’re considering better tiles, wall-mounted displays, a stone sign in front and energy-saving improvements, depending on how bids come in this spring.

The goal is to make the building a good fit with the higher-end residential neighborhood around it, Brown said. Before the extra $1 million was announced, officials had enough to build their basic plan.

“We’re not quite there, but we’re on our way,” Brown said. “We are appreciative. ... It will enhance the region and the area overall. We’re thrilled to be able to bring that to Rockford.”

Work will start this spring or summer, with an opening planned for early next year.

The facility will be on the east side of Lyford Road north of East State Street, not far from Interstate 90. Besides being the connecting point for a revamped bus route system, it could be the starting point of future service to Belvidere.

RMTD previously got $3.7 million from the federal stimulus program for the project, plus $500,000 in state funds.

Federal support for the project has stretched back years, such as when RMTD got a $750,000 planning grant in the early 1990s. RMTD spent more than $50,000 of its own funds then, too, the only local money going to the project.

“Sen. Durbin has been working with Mayor Morrissey on the RMTD project for several years,” Durbin spokeswoman Christina Mulka said in an e-mail. “Durbin actually drove around with the mayor last year to see the redevelopment work that is being done in Rockford. This particular project is construction-ready and will create many jobs.”

Brown said RMTD is on the lookout for other funds to further improve the project. If bids come in low, they can add amenities; if bids are high, they can scale back.