By Daniel Multz
Boston University News Service
BOSTON – In a virtual meeting this week, the MBTA provided a timeline for design completion and construction of its new Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility, with the goal of accommodating a new fleet of battery-electric buses.
On Thursday, project leaders detailed how the new facility — whose design is currently 75% complete — will house more buses than the existing structure. Additionally, the site in Quincy will be the first of many new maintenance facilities designed specifically for electric buses.
“We’re very excited that Quincy is going to be that first modern, all battery-electric bus facility,” said MBTA Director of Bus Modernization Scott Hamwey. “Our initial priority is going to be replacing that old diesel fleet from [the] Hancock Street [Facility], those 86 buses, with 86 new buses at this location,” he added.
Steven Belanger, Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility project manager, detailed how the new facility will be built with environmental impacts in mind and will improve the surrounding area for the community.
“The design and construction have been, and will continue to take into account, climate sustainability and resiliency, as well as sensitivity to adjacent areas and neighborhoods,” Belanger said. “This project will be providing connectivity through the site that the community does not currently have with existing conditions today.”
Belanger added that the new Quincy Facility will be over 360,000 square feet in size, with capacity for storage and maintenance of up to 120 battery-electric buses.
The MBTA’s plan to transition to a fleet of battery-electric buses drew positive feedback from meeting attendees.
“Very pleased to see the T’s commitment to transition to electric buses from day one,” said attendee Shelly Dein.
The MBTA expects the completed design next winter, with the facility projected to be “substantially complete” by late 2024. Belanger says the final cost of the project will also be revealed once the design is finalized.
“Right now we’re reviewing the cost estimate that we received for the 75% [completion],” Belanger said. “We’ll be happy to share more information as [the design] gets reviewed and completed internally.”
