Sound Transit Board approves contract to construct Bus Base North
Sound Transit’s first agency-owned bus operations and maintenance facility will support electrified rapid bus service lines on I-405 and SR 522.
Publish Date
The Sound Transit Board of Directors voted today to approve a contract with PCL Construction Services, Inc. to build Bus Base North, a critical milestone in the development of Sound Transit’s Stride Bus Rapid Transit network.
“Today’s Board action will move us one step closer to fast and frequent transit for riders on heavily congested corridors as we continue to expand multiple transit options across the Central Puget Sound,” said Snohomish County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dave Somers. “Board members and the residents that they represent understand that advancing construction on Bus Base North is a key milestone for Stride and ST3.”
The 365,125 square foot facility will be constructed in the Canyon Park subarea of Bothell, near the intersection of SR 527 and I-405. It will accommodate up to 120 double-decker and articulated buses for Stride and ST Express services, providing storage, charging, and maintenance as well as administrative and operations support for Stride BRT service.
The fixed price contract approves $228,334,322 for construction with a 20 percent contingency of $45,668,864 for a total authorized contract not to exceed $274,013,186. The scope of construction will include three buildings:
- A two-story operations and administration center,
- A two-story parking and serving center with parking for 255 employees, visitors, and non-rev vehicles on the upper deck and room for up to 120 buses on the lower deck.
- A two-story structure containing areas for maintenance and parts storage
The contract will also include construction of a vehicle ramp and bridge to parking, installation of stormwater retention facilities, landscaping, fencing, lighting, and a guard house.
“The approval of the Bus Base North contract is an important step forward for Stride” said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine. “Bus Base North will be the heart of 45 miles of electric bus rapid transit that will provide a green alternative for riders and transform travel across the region.”
Sound Transit's Stride bus rapid transit (BRT) will be a fast, frequent, and reliable bus service connecting to Link light rail and to communities north, east, and south of Lake Washington. Like light rail service, The Stride program will feature three bus lines: S1, S2, and S3. Stride buses will also connect to Link light rail, providing new ways to get to your destination across the region.
The Stride bus fleet will include Sound Transit's first battery-electric buses. These buses provide a cleaner, more sustainable way to travel in the region. Stride will use double-decker buses for the S1 and S2 lines and 60-foot articulated buses for the S3 Line. The different vehicles will help meet the specific needs of each route. Stride will provide service 17+ hours per day, seven days a week. During operation, buses will be able to recharge their batteries at layover stations at the end of each route before returning to service.