By Town Crier Staff Report

The new Fire Station No. 2 opened for operation last week at the corner of Cuesta Drive and Grant Road in Mountain View, giving firefighters and the public improved services at the western end of town.

The $1.8 million-$1.9 million structure is approximately twice the size of the previous station at the site, said Battalion Chief Richard Alameda. The original station, built in 1962, was demolished last year to make room for the new 5,000-square-foot building.

An important feature of the new facility is that the main access is off Grant Road, instead of Cuesta, Alameda said. The much wider Grant will allow better mobility for fire vehicles and increased safety.

“We had a few close calls” with traffic along Cuesta, Alameda said.

In addition, fire personnel have signal controls to stop traffic in an emergency.

The new station includes the required seismic upgrades and more privacy for firefighters, which now include men and women. There are two improved bathroom facilities, a workout area, decontamination section, more storage space and additional space for housing fire engines.

The city plans a grand opening for the station but a specific date has not yet been scheduled.