Baltimore Launches $140 Million Bus Maintenance Facility Project

Baltimore has officially commenced construction on a new bus maintenance facility, set to replace the old Kirk Avenue garage, which has served the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) since 1947. This $140 million project, supported by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is expected to significantly improve local bus service for thousands of riders.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, U.S. Department of Transportation officials, including Congressman Elijah Cummings and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, highlighted the project's benefits. John Porcari, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. DOT, emphasized that the new facility will not only create hundreds of construction jobs but also ensure that transit buses are well-maintained, connecting families to essential services such as jobs, schools, and healthcare.

The first phase of the project will introduce two energy-efficient buildings designed for the maintenance and storage of approximately 175 buses. For the first time, all buses will be serviced indoors, which will reduce noise and emissions, addressing environmental concerns in the densely populated northeast Baltimore neighborhood.

The U.S. DOT is contributing $45 million towards the first phase, with $40 million allocated from the FTA’s Bus and Bus Facilities Program. The state of Maryland will cover the remaining $65 million for this phase, with completion expected in 2015. The second phase will include a new transportation and storage facility, with construction anticipated to begin in the same year.

Reported by HarborBeat based on Metro Magazine (source).