BUTLER TWP — The public was given a virtual walk-through of the new VA Butler Healthcare center Thursday by VA officials.

At a meeting at the current VA heath care center, Cherie Hawryliak, center program manager, narrated an animated virtual tour through the first floor of the building that was shown on a screen to attendees.

The new 168,000-square-foot center is being built on North Duffy Road in Center Township about a mile away from the current heath care center on West New Castle Road.

Hawryliak said the virtual tour is a major aid in helping the public conceptualize the new building.

“I think it’s really hard for individuals to visualize floor plans. So for them to be able to have an actual realization of it and start to get a feel for the space makes it feel more real because they can start to visualize themselves in the space,” she said.

Veteran Ernie Oesterling agreed.

“I think the idea there of the whole building, actually seeing it, I thought that was great,” he said.

The meeting also gave citizens a chance to ask questions, which VA Butler Director David Cord addressed.

As a follow-up to an issue at a previous meeting, Cord said there will be a bus stop at the new facility. He also said the camera that constantly monitors the construction site is working again.

He also talked about traffic concerns related to the new facility, including vehicles speeding and a stop light. Cord said a speed sign was put up to clock vehicles’ speeds on Duffy Road.

“We’re hoping that’s going to condition people to look at their speed as they go through there,” he said.

Asked about a potential traffic light at the entrance of the new center, he said that a study was done and it was determined that a stop light wasn’t necessary. Because of that, he said, the state Department of Transportation would not install a signal.

“I share those concerns,” Cord said of the need for a stop light, adding that he wants another study done.

Cord also was asked if the new facility would be used for additional purposes not offered at the current VA building.

He said initially that is not part of the plan, but it could be “down the road.”

At the end of the meeting, a video of Wednesday’s topping off ceremony, in which the last beam of the new facility was put into place, was shown.

Cord also thanked Center Township officials for their role in the construction of the new building.

Construction on the facility is six months ahead of schedule. It is set to be done by summer of 2017.