A structure should soon begin to rise from the ground at the Aiken Railroad Depot site on Union Street, according to the chairman of the All Aboard! Campaign.

Tim Simmons said Friday he expects the initial construction to start before the end of this month, thanks to the fundraising efforts of those associated with the project. To date, the All Aboard! Campaign has raised roughly $2.2 million, which is enough to start construction on the main depot building.

"That should include all of the exhibits and the exterior work on two rail cars," Simmons said.

The new depot is slated to serve as the headquarters for the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, the City's visitor's center and will contain educational displays, models and interactive features. Two of the three vintage cars will be refurbished as dining cars, and the third, a caboose, will be restored to its original condition.

The total fundraising goal is $3 million, the remainder of which will be used to construct the baggage claim building, the covered passenger platform and finishing work on the railcars' interiors. Simmons said raising the final amount is anticipated to move slowly with the ongoing economic recession.

Currently, excavation continues on the old depot's brick foundation. In September 2007, sections of the foundation were laid bare where a building integral to the growth and prosperity of this area once stood.

The entire foundation has to be uncovered before a soil engineer can give the OK to construct the foundation for the new depot, which will be concrete. Bricks that can be salvaged and preserved from the original foundation will be. Many are still very solid, despite time and the elements.

"It is really going to be an exciting project for us," Simmons said. "The community is really interested in this and has been very supportive."