Planning is continuing for a multi-modal transit center that the Area Transportation Authority wants to build in downtown Bradford.

Before officials can begin design of the proposed project, they are waiting for the results of a feasibility study, according to Mike Imbrogno, the ATA’s chief executive officer.

He explained that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation hired Michael Baker Associates to conduct a feasibility study on the location, size and scope of the project.

On Tuesday, McKean County commissioners voted in favor of applying for a $2,660,000 Multimodal Transportation Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

The commissioners took on the task “because we needed a municipal sponsor, and the project is located in McKean County,” Imbrogno explained.

He indicated they wanted to get a head start on obtaining funding for the project so they are further ahead “in the event that the feasibility study comes back positive, which we believe it will.”

Imbrogno said the study is slated to be complete by October.

The study was funded with a $135,520 Multimodal Transportation Grant, which state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, announced in December.

“Michael Baker’s team has been in the Bradford area a number of times,” Imbrogno, who explained the team has done tasks such as riding the routes and viewing the proposed destinations for the transit center, doing their due diligence to find the best location.

He noted the team is looking at other rural projects they’ve been involved with to assist with the study.

This spring, ATA indicated it is interested in having seven transit centers in its region, and hubs similar that that proposed in Bradford have already been built in St. Marys and Punxsutawney. Other hubs have been proposed for the ATA-served communities of DuBois, Clearfield, Emporium and Coudersport.