The Salem Area Mass Transit District has secured a location for its long-awaited South Salem Transit Center, which agency leaders say will cut down travel times and improve accessibility for local bus riders.The transit district, known as Cherriots, purchased land on the northeast corner of Southeas t Commercial Street and Southeast Wiltsey Road for the project, according to a Thursday, July 16, statement. The property is near the south Salem Safeway and adjacent to the White Oak Apartments and Encore Apartments. “This is a transformative step forward for south Salem riders,” said Board President Maria Hinojos Pressey in a statement. “The South Salem Transit Center will create a safer, more comfortable, and more connected transit experience for everyone who lives, works and rides in the area.” In July, the Salem Area Mass Transit District purchased property to build a South Salem Transit Center. The property is located on the northeast corner of outheast Commercial Street and Southeast Wiltsey Road, labeled with a red pin on the map. (GOOGLE MAPS screenshot) The transit center will give south Salem commuters a centralized place to switch bus routes, cutting down on walking distance and wait times, according to the statement.The purchase, land acquisition, preliminary design and fees totaled $5.5 million, according to the statement. According to the Cherriots Board of Directors’ meeting agenda, the property at 5800 Wiltsey Road S.E. was purchased using federal, state and Cherriots’ general funds and cost $4.7 million. Cherriots expects to spend an additional $12.7 million in the coming year to build the transit center, again with a combination of state, federal and local funding, according to board documents. That includes a $3 million federal grant Cherriots’ secured earlier this year.Cherriots first began searching for a place to build its South Salem Transit Center in 2013, according to its website. The land acquisition process and a reliance on federal funding caused delays, Cherriots General Manager Allan Pollock told Salem Reporter in February.The new transit center will also have covered waiting areas for commuters, with a design focused on improving lighting and safety, according to the statement.Cherriots has not yet announced the construction timeline. It will be posting updates about the project on its website. RELATED COVERAGE: Negotiations between Cherriots, business leaders paused after months of meetings Cherriots receives $3 million federal grant for long-delayed south Salem transit center Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.SIGN UP: Independent reporting gives Salem a stronger voice and holds those in power accountable on issues ranging from homelessness to health care. Be part of that work by becoming a subscriber. Subscribe today. The post Cherriots purchases property for South Salem Transit Center appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less