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The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) on Friday marked the completion of a $243 million restoration project at the Union Depot train station in St. Paul, Minn.

The authority also marked the return of transportation services to the 90-year-old iconic structure, which hasn't been open to the public since the last train served the station in 1971, RCRRA officials said in a prepared statement.

Metro Transit buses began arriving and departing from the station on Friday; in early 2013, Jefferson Regional Bus Lines will move its terminus there, and later in 2013, Amtrak trains will begin serving the facility. In 2014, Central Corridor Light Rail, known as the Green Line, will launch service at the depot, as well.

The project entailed rebuilding the train deck and tracks; constructing a new multilevel passenger drop-off entrance with ticket and baggage counters; repainting and restoring plaster in the waiting room and head house; reconstructing he carriage way; and returning the Fourth Street entrance to its original design.

In summer, RCRRA contracted retail management company Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to manage Union Depot operations and lease commercial retail space. JLL currently operates historic train stations in Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C.