It was a balmy 32 degrees for this morning’s Toyota Park Transit Center groundbreaking and though it's not much to look at now, there's plenty of reason to be excited for the new Pace facility, scheduled to open next year, which will include an indoor waiting area.

Congressman Daniel Lipinski and Bridgeview Mayor and Illinois State Senator Steven M. Landek were on-hand to christen the new project which is expected to increase access to public transportation for the residents of Bridgeview, along with people visiting Chicago Fire soccer matches, concerts and other events.

According to Pace, there are additional plans to include the area of Harlem Avenue around Toyota Park in its Arterial Rapid Transit express bus network, and the transit center will serve as a hub for local bus routes to connect with the express service and one another.

The Toyota Park Transit Center announcement, coupled with the recent opening of the 71st Street underpass, is welcomed news for Fire supporters as both projects should facilitate travel for soccer fans to come to Toyota Park, as well as lessen the potential for traffic and parking congestion on game days.