ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – A new SunRunner station is being built in the heart of downtown St. Pete, extending the rapid transit line further east.
The new station will be built at 1st Ave. North and 1st St. South, outside popular downtown bars like Tequila Daisy and Copper Shaker.
The location is in the center of downtown, about one block from Beach Drive and two blocks from St. Pete Pier.
Construction of the original SunRunner route came in about $5 million under budget, and PSTA plans to use the remaining money to build the new station and purchase hybrid buses for the SunRunner routes.
“These funds will allow us to build this new station for the SunRunner,” said Stephanie Weaver, PSTA communications manager. “We are incredibly grateful to our staff and consultants for their work, as staying on budget is virtually unheard of for transportation projects across the country.”
Weaver said when the SunRunner became a reality over a decade ago, the St. Pete Pier had not yet been built.
After the opening, they responded to requests from residents and elected officials who wanted a SunRunner stop closer to the pier and harborfront.
Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-August and PSTA expects the building to be completed and operational by the end of 2024.
