On Tuesday morning, the long-awaited Issaquah Transit Center will be fully functioning at last.

“At a time of high gas prices and increased ridership,” Sound Transit Spokeswoman Linda Robson said. “It’s a real benefit to Issaquah. It’s a great space for the community.”

Most of the center has been up and running for a few weeks now, but the last step, the 819-stall parking garage will open next week.

The interim parking lot, at State Route 900 and Northwest Maple Street, will close Monday evening.

The project, which started in June 2006, suffered some delays due to poor weather over the winter and a concrete worker strike.

“We had a number of weather delays,” Robson said. “Some of the worst construction weather.”

The new transit center will be serviced by three Sound Transit routes, 554, 555 and 556, all of which have seen increases of 15-20 percent in the last year in ridership.

Metro also has three routes out of the center.

The $29.8 million center features more than double the parking capacity of the old facility, a new bus bay, shelters, benches and artwork. Fourty-four bikes can be parked in a bike rack that is also of piece of art featuring spirals.

The facility also includes a police center, and Eastside Fire and Rescue has plans for a new fire station on the lot, to replace the temporary station, station 72, on Maple Street.

A dedication for the new garage will be held at 2 p.m. on Aug. 6. The public is invited to attend.