The Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System (B-NPTS) in Bloomington, IL, recently broke ground for a new administrative facility and garage on a 10-acre lot on the boundary line between the two cities, with an adjacent seven acres to be purchased to allow for future expansion.

“This new facility opens the doors for expanded service,” said Mary Caisley, chair of the B-NPTS Board of Trustees.

B-NPTS General Manager Pete Weber said that when it opens, the new 75,000-square-foot facility would triple the space now available to the agency. The current headquarters, housed in a nearly 70-year-old building, does not have sufficient garage space to house the current 37-bus fleet; the new building will accommodate 48 buses, with room to expand to a 72-bus fleet.

The almost $8 million cost of the project includes about $3.2 million in federal funding, with the remaining $4.7 million coming from the transit system’s own local resources.

Donning hard hats and turning over the first shovels of dirt at the ground breaking are, from left: B-NPTS Board of Trustees Chair Mary Caisley; Vice Chair Mark Peterson; Secretary John Thomas; Trustee Judy Buchanan; General Manager Pete Weber; Transportation Superintendent Gary Gwin; Maintenance Superintendent Phil Campbell; Amalgamated Transit Union President Mick Ferrell; Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton; and Normal Mayor Chris Koos.

 

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