Metro has broken ground on a rebuild of the Northern Bus Garage which, when completed in 2917, will have the district’s first all zero-emission bus fleet.
Clark Construction Group is the project’s contractor.
The work is funded in part by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
“We are focused on providing a Better Bus experience for our customers, one that is environmentally friendly, more efficient, and better serves the region’s needs,” Metro GM and CEO Clarke said in a Jan. 25 statement. “This is just the start of our investment to bring zero-emission technology to #YourMetro as we replace fossil fuels with clean technology that will power our fleet of 1,600 buses.”
Metro is also purchasing 12 electric buses that will run out of the Shepherd Parkway Bus Division in the District as part of its Battery-Electric Bus Test and Evaluation Program, including two buses funded through a $4.2 million FTA Low-No Grant.
“WMATA is an important partner not just in our work to connect DC and the region, but in our work to build a more sustainable and resilient DC,” DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said.. “Ensuring we have a public transportation system that is safe, reliable, and efficient also means ensuring we have a system that keeps up with our environmental goals. And this new bus garage is helping us build a greener and cleaner DC.”
The rebuilt Northern Bus Garage will replace the century old facility with a modern, LEED-certified garage that will have the capacity to house up to 150 zero-emission buses. The new bus facility will maintain the historic façade, while adding retail space, streetscape improvements and a community room for local meetings.
“Clark has been a part of the DC community just as long as the Northern Bus Facility itself,” said Phil Sheridan, senior vice-president at Clark Construction Group. “We’re thrilled to work alongside Metro to strengthen our region’s infrastructure and help ensure clean air in the place we call home.”
In addition to the Northern Bus Garage, the new Bladensburg and Western bus garages are also being planned and designed to support the transition to a zero-emission fleet.
