Darlington Railway Station’s new multi-million-pound concourse is set to open this Sunday.
The major redevelopment - aimed to make the station the “gateway to the whole of the Tees Valley” - will finally open to the public this weekend.
The £140m redevelopment has added two new platforms to the station alongside a new eastern concourse and entrance and a multi-storey car park for more than 650 cars.
An elevated walkway will connect the new concourse to the existing historic station, which has also been given a facelift, including a modernised western entrance.
The extension to the station has been designed to “mould the historic grandeur of the Grade-ll listed station” with modern facilities, including new shops and waiting areas.
The exact shops and units taking up space in the concourse are yet to be confirmed.
A new signalling system was completed in December and overhead line equipment and switchings and crossings were installed earlier this year.
The overhaul is intended to improve reliability and capacity on the East Coast Main Line, improving the frequency and reliability of trains along the line and across the region.
The Tees Valley Combined Authority has contributed £43million to the overhaul while Network Rail and the Department for Transport put in £96million.
At the time, construction delays and cost pressures were blamed as the reason behind the delay, which Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen branded as "deeply frustrating".
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Last week, the Mayor said: "Our £150m transformation is nearly there now, with the new platforms, footbridge, multi-storey car park and eastern entrance all coming together.
"This is all about making journeys better - more capacity, more reliable services and stronger connections right across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.
"One of the biggest transport upgrades we’ve seen in decades - and we’re almost ready to open."
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