F.H. Paschen Joins Charlottesville Leaders and Mass Transit Riders to Celebrate New Bus Shelter at High-Traffic Stop

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – For years, riders of Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) have spoken up: the buses come late, the wait times are long, and there’s often nowhere to sit or take cover from the elements. That all changed today for one of Charlottesville’s busiest stops, as F.H. Paschen joined local leaders, CAT representatives, and transit riders to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a brand-new bus shelter that increases rider safety and comfort.

F.H. Paschen, a nationally recognized leader in mass transit and heavy civil construction projects, led the construction and installation of the shelter, located at 100 Ridge Street, Charlottesville, near Midway Manor; a high pedestrian traffic zone that serves a densely populated residential area in Charlottesville. Once marked only by a lonely sidewalk post, the stop now offers riders protection from the elements and a place to sit while they wait.

“This project means more than just concrete and metal. It means dignity and comfort for those who rely on public transportation every day,” said Charles Lawler, who heads F.H. Paschen’s Mid-Atlantic operations. “We were proud to bring this to life quickly and safely for the City of Charlottesville and CAT.”

Completed in under a month, the $75,000 project joins similar F.H. Paschen delivered upgrades at additional locations in CAT’s service network. The shelter unveiled today is unique for its placement in one of the city’s most walked corridors and is a critical shelter location long advocated for by residents and transit riders.

Despite the logistical challenges posed by heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, F.H. Paschen managed construction with minimal disruption, coordinating carefully with city officials, residents, and local businesses.

The team broke ground on June 30, poured concrete, and waited the required 10-day cure time before installing the shelter. Final touches were completed this past week.

Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) provides essential service to residents across a 38-square-mile area, operating 13 routes that connect neighborhoods, downtown, and the University of Virginia. CAT annual ridership exceeds 1.3M rides annually.

Today’s event featured remarks from City Manager Sam Sanders, Mary Carey (longtime Midway Manor resident), and Garland Williams (CAT Director) and was attended by local community members, many of whom rely on CAT to commute, access healthcare, or run errands. Their presence underscored the importance of small but impactful infrastructure projects like this one.

F.H. Paschen has been actively growing its footprint in the Mid-Atlantic region, celebrating over 15 years of service delivering community-based infrastructure solutions throughout Virginia and beyond. The company remains committed to projects that elevate quality of life and support equitable access to public resources.