The City of Santa Clarita celebrated the groundbreaking of the Vista Canyon Bus Transfer Center on Monday.

Santa Clarita residents can soon expect to expand their transit opportunities with the addition of the new bus transfer station just south of the 14 Freeway.

“This is a project that is certainly ahead of the times, and meets all the requirements of what a person will need to live, work, play and get where they need to go all from one place,” said Santa Clarita City Councilmember Marsha McLean.

The Vista Canyon development contains 1,100 dwelling units, 646,000 square feet of office space, 164,000 square feet of commercial and retail space and a 200-room hotel. The development is considered one of the most well-connected, transit-friendly communities in Southern California, according to developers.

The bus transfer center is located within the Vista Canyon development, which is stated to “serve as Santa Clarita Transit’s hub on the east side of the city,” according to a press release.

This new bus station is expected to help give residents on the east side of Santa Clarita Valley an easier route to and from the inner city and Los Angeles, along with more options to go car-optional in their daily lives this year.

Vista Canyon is designed to be car-optional in an effort to “reduce carbon emissions through the encouragement of alternative methods of transportation,” stated the press release.

The transit center is set to be completed in 12 months, according to JSB Development CEO Jim Backer.

The entire project, including housing, offices, hotel and commercial locations, is said to be finished in five years.

Jamie Araki / KHTS

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