What you need to know
In a Nov. 20 capital improvement update from Sledge Engineering, the firm managing the 2023 bond program, company President Casey Sledge said the future southern transportation hub's master plan is currently under design.
Per the district's bond schedule, Sledge said, the facility is on track to open in December 2026.
The details
The new facility will be located along Chris Kelley Boulevard, south of the railroad tracks crossing much of the district, to help ease traffic, decrease fuel costs and shorten trips.
The facility will house some of the district's bus fleet and eliminate the need for buses to travel to and from the existing transportation facility located on FM 1660. Referred to as "dead head" miles by the district, these trips to and from the facility add unnecessary miles to buses and contribute to traffic.
The district has also purchased a total of 27 new buses, with nine having a capacity of 54 passengers and 18 with a capacity of 77 passengers. Each bus costs about $146,000, according to the district.
What's next?
The district's bond program schedule has the project set to go out for bid in early 2026.
