The £7 million project to refurbish Sunderland Station moves to a new phase from Monday 15 February, with the main entrance re-opening to passengers.
From Monday the main south concourse will provide the only access to platforms by lift stairs and escalator, and all trains will call at platforms 2 and 3, at the south end of the station.
The north entrance – which has been the only way in and out since last September – will close while building work moves to this end of the station.
Nexus is investing £7m in refurbishing and modernising the platform areas of the station, which is owned by Network Rail and managed by Northern.
The refurbished platforms will feature new lighting, ceilings, floors and wall panelling to give the station a unique new look.
Three separate artists have been commissioned to work with architects and designers to create a unique new landmark for Sunderland.
Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said: “The re-opened platforms give you a taste of the big improvements we are making – with a new glass waiting room, better floors and brighter lighting.
“The work is far from finished, however, some column and wall claddings still have to be put in, as well as new customer information systems and signs. This will be done over night in the next few months.
“The walls facing each platform are also still to be refurbished with lighted glass blocks on one side, and bricks cleaned and a new artwork installed in the bays on the other.”
The whole building project is now expected to finish in June this year, a month later than planned after delays caused by the long spell of cold weather in January.