Moore Square bus station getting makeover

"Our station has about 7,000 boardings a day. It's like a small airport in an urban setting," Raleigh transit administrator David Eatman said.

The 28-year-old facility, now known as Go Raleigh Station, is getting new bathrooms, elevators and ticketing facilities, as well as a third lane for more buses and expanded waiting and pedestrian areas to cut down on loitering near the station.

The project, which began this spring, is expected to be finished by the end of the year.

Evelyn Murray, owner of Briggs Hardware on East Hargett Street across from the bus station, said the construction hasn't been too disruptive to her business.

"I expected it to be far worse," Murray said. "The interruptions have been minor."

Moore Square itself will be getting a facelift this year. Raleigh is investing $12 million to add a cafe, restrooms, a plaza and other features to the area.

"(There's) a lot of public investment in the area. It's just an exciting time," Eatman said.

Murray said she hopes the work will help improve the look of the east side of downtown.

"I pray it will help to clean it up things up a little bit and make it nicer because people are wanting to ride the bus more and more," she said.